Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2017  with  funding  from 
Princeton  Theological  Seminary  Library 


https://archive.org/details/reportofselectcoOOamer 


REPORT 


OF 


elect  fatmittee  < A 


B.C.T 


THE  DEPUTATION  TO  INDIA. 


NEW-YORK : 

JOHN  A.  GRAY’S  FIRE-PROOF  PRINTING  OFFICE, 
16  AND  18  JACOB  ST.,  COR.  FRANKFORT. 

1856. 


' .V 


. 


' 

. 

■ 

. 


. 


. 


* . > 


REPORT 


The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  Report  of  the  De- 
putation to  India,  by  the  A.  B.  C.  F.  M.,  at  the  special  meeting 
held  in  Albany,  in  March  last,  would  now  respectfully  submit 
their  Report. 

Your  Committee  have  felt,  from  the  time  of  their  appoint- 
ment, that  weighty  matters  have  been  intrusted  to  their  delib- 
erations ; and  they  have  not  been  willing  to  dispose  of  them 
without  protracted  investigation  and  much  prayer.  As  the 
friends  of  Foreign  Missions  we  have  felt — one  and  all — willing 
to  meet,  as  far  as  practicable,  the  responsibilities  laid  upon  us ; 
and  while  we  are  sensible  of  the  imperfect  manner  in  which 
we  have  executed  our  trust,  we  have  spared  no  time  or  pains 
which  might  be  required  in  order  to  present  the  whole  subject, 
which  is  now  exciting  a deep  interest  in  the  public  mind,  for 
the  final  decisions  of  the  Board  at  its  present  annual  meeting. 

In  carrying  out  our  purpose  touching  this  matter,  the  Com- 
mittee have  held  five  meetings,  at  which  most  of  the  members 
have  been  in  attendance,  and  spent  in  all  fourteen  days  in  la- 
borious sessions,  from  eight  to  eleven  hours  each  day,  in  col- 
lecting materials,  in  reading  letters,  in  hearing  statements,  and 
in  deliberations  on  the  same,  with  a view  to  this  Report ; and 
yet  we  have  found  it  impossible  minutely  to  survey  the  whole 
ground  ; nor  can  we  pretend,  in  embodying  the  various  items 
of  information  which  have  come  before  us,  in  all  instances,  to 
have  arranged  them  in  the  most  natural  or  impressive  order. 
To  do  this  would  require  the  exclusive  attention  of  some  one  - 
mind  for  a long  period,  and  the  production  would  expand  into 
a large  volume.  Either  directly  or  indirectly  the  Committee 
have  had  before  them  the  entire  policy  and  the  practical  work- 
ing of  missions  to  the  heathen.  These  inquiries  conduct  us 
into  a vast  field,  and  one  hitherto  but  imperfectly  explored ; and, 
by  the  wisest  among  us,  many  things  yet  remain  to  be  learned. 


4 


At  the  first  meeting  of  your  Committee,  convened  in  Boston 
on  the  16th  of  April  last,  it  was 

“ Resolved , That  a copy  of  the  following  letter  be  addressed 
to  each  male  member  of  the  missions  visited  by  the  Deputation 
and  by  Dr.  Anderson : 

“ Dear  Brother , — In  behalf  of  the  Special  Committee  to  whom 
the  Report  of  the  late  Deputation  to  India  was  referred  by  the 
American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions,  at  its 
recent  meeting  in  Albany,  we  invite  your  immediate  attention 
and  reply  to  the  following  questions.  We  hope  your  answers 
will  be  as  concise  and  condensed  as  can  be,  without  omitting 
any  thing  that  may  seem  to  you  to  be  important : 

“ 1.  Do  the  reports  in  the  printed  minutes  of  the  meeting  of 
your  mission  with  the  Deputation,  or  with  the  senior  Secretary, 
express  adequately  your  personal  opinions,  especially  on  the 
relation  of  Schools  and  Seminaries  to  the  Missionary  work ; 
on  the  use  of  the  English  language,  and  on  the  ecclesiastical 
relation  of  Missionaries  to  Native  Pastors  and  Churches? 

“ If  your  opinions  were  in  any  respect  overruled  by  the  ac- 
tion of  the  meeting,  please  to  state  particularly  the  difference 
between  your  own  j udgment  and  the  views  presented  in  the 
reports. 

“ 2.  So  far  as  the  changes  in  the  policy  of  your  mission 
have  gone  into  effect,  do  they  promise  an  increase  of  efficiency 
in  the  work  of  conversion  ? and  has  there  been  any  change  of 
your  judgment  since  the  meeting,  either  favorable  or  unfa- 
vorable to  the  changes  then  inaugurated  ? 

“We  propose  these  few  questions  only  as  hints  to  guide 
your  mind,  and  not  with  the  purpose  of  excluding  any  infor- 
mation which  you  may  be  able  to  communicate,  and  which,  in 
your  judgment,  is  pertinent  to  the  business  referred  to  this 
Committee. 

“ Please  address  your  reply  to  the  undersigned  at  the  Mission- 
ary House,  Boston,  and  soon  enough,  if  possible,  to  be  re- 
ceived by  the  1st  of  September  next. 

“ Leonard  Bacon,  Chairman,  pro  tem. 

“ Boston,  April  16,  1856.” 

A similar  circular  was  addressed  to  returned  missionaries 
in  this  country. 

At  the  same  meeting  it  was  likewise 

“ Resolved , That  the  Prudential  Committee  be  requested  to 


5 


furnish  this  Committee  at  their  convenience,  their  opinions 
upon  the  various  subjects  contained  in  the  Report  of  the  De- 
putation, indicating  generally  the  principles  upon  which  the 
operations  of  the  India  missions  should  hereafter  be  conducted, 
especially  in  regard  to  schools  and  seminaries,  the  press,  the 
preaching  of  the  Gospel,  and  the  relation  of  missionaries  to 
the  native  churches  and  pastors.” 

In  response  to  these  and  other  requests  for  information, 
your  Committee  have  received  numerous  communications,  from 
different  missions  and  individual  missionaries,  and  likewise  a 
reply  from  the  Prudential  Committee,  embodying  their  views 
on  the  “outlines  of  missionary  policy.”  We  have  like- 
wise had  statements,  written  and  oral,  from  a number  of  mis- 
sionary brethren  who  have  returned  from  the  foreign  field,  and 
others  who  feel  a deep  interest  in  the  matters  which  are  now 
pending  before  the  Board.  We  have  had  before  us  not  far 
from.  2,500  manuscript  pages,  besides  many  oral  communi- 
cations. These  are  the  principal  sources  from  which  your 
Committee  have  derived  their  information.  Of  these  materials, 
all  that  can  be  presented,  is  a mere  synopsis  ; and  in  order  to 
preserve  the  greater  unity,  we  shall  refer  to  the  documents  and 
other  information  in  our  possession,  of  whatever  nature,  as 
they  may  relate  to  the  same  subjects  and  the  same  missions 
It  is  the  object  of  your  Committee  to  lay  before  the  Board  all 
the  information  relating  to  essential  points,  which  has  come 
within  their  reach  : not  all  the  communications , for  this  would 
be  next  to  endless,  and  would  be  likely  to  remind  one  of  the 
hypothetical  volume,  which  the  apostle  John  mentions  at  the 
close  of  his  succinct  and  inspired  narrative. 

In  pursuance  of  this  plan,  then,  we  notice  a letter  addressed 
to  Dr.  Anderson,  dated  Jaffna,  Ceylon,  June  16th,  1856,  and 
signed  by  all  the  missionaries.  This  letter  states  that  they  were 
not  subjected  to  coercion,  but  acted  freely.  They  were  not 
threatened  with  a loss  of  their  livings;  and  in  relation  to 
schools,  each  missionary  is  permitted  to  have  as  many,  both 
for  Christian  and  heathen  children,  as  he  wished  to  have.  The 
twenty-one  reports  were  “all  passed  by  a large  majority  of  the 
mission,  and  most  of  them  without  a dissenting  vote.”  While 
their  opinions  are  not  entirely  accordant  “ on  all  the  subjects  dis- 
cussed,” they  add  : “ Yet  we  all  desire  to  express  our  gratifica- 
tion thus  far  with  most  of  the  results.”  And  this  is  after  more 
than  one  year’s  observation  and  experience.  They  say,  we 
would  not  “ return  to  where  we  were  before  your  visit.”  They 
regret  the  publication  of  “ extracts  from  private  letters,”  and 
“ fear  they  have  not  always  conveyed  the  meaning  of  their 


6 


several  authors.”  The  whole  letter  gives  a very  interesting 
and  very  satisfactory  view  of  things  in  that  mission,  notwith- 
standing some  diversities  in  sentiment,  which  have  greatly 
agitated  the  American  public. 

A Letter  of  eighteen  compactly  written  pages,  from  M.  D. 
Sanders,  dated  Tillipally,  June  27th,  1856,  and  addressed  to  the 
Chairman  of  the  Special  Committee,  is  a paper  of  great  interest. 
Mr.  Sanders  joined  the  mission  in  1852.  We  can  give  only  a 
naked  outline  of  this  letter.  He  says : “I  think  the  Deputation 
had  great  influence.  I would  npt  have  had  it  otherwise.  They, 
as  a Deputation,  could  propose  measures  which  the  majority 
of  the  mission  were  in  favor  of,  but  which  were  in  such  a shape 
that  the  mission,  by  itself,  could  not  touch  them.  It  is  possi- 
ble, that  an  overshadowing  influence  arose  in  this  connection. 
Their  influence  seemed  to  me  to  be  exerted  in  a high  and 
honorable  way.” 

His  views  of  Batticotta  Seminary  deserve  special  notice  and 
regard.  He  thinks  this  Seminary  is  of  a higher  order  than  is 
called  for  by  the  circumstances  of  the  case.  It  aims  to  teach 
more  science  than  the  other  English  high  schools  of  India ; 
and  he  has  “ never  seen  the  native  teacher  in  Batticotta  Sem- 
inary who  made  science  the  handmaid  of  religion.”  In  1851, 
“ of  37  studies  examined,  32  were  in  the  English  language,  and 
5 in  the  Tamil.”  The  disproportion  was  not  generally  so  great ; 
but  examining  committees  “ have  dwelt  on  the  fact,  that  Tamil 
was  too  much  neglected.”*  Mr.  Sanders  was  in  Batticotta  one 
year,  and  had  charge  of  the  Seminary  six  months.  He  was 
delighted  with  the  work,  and  felt  that  it  “ was  a most  encour- 
aging field  of  labor.”  He  adds:  “I  then  went  to  the  village 
work,  and  am  free  to  say,  that  my  views  have  been  very  much 
modified  by  my  experience,  and  by  a knowledge  of  a wider 
range  of  facts.”  The  graduates  were  raised  too  high  above 
“ the  masses  of  the  people  for  effective  missionary  work.”  The 
Tamil  missionary  field,  he  thinks,  will  not  generally  depend  on 
Batticotta  graduates  for  a supply.  Few  assistants  from  this 
source  are  now  found  on  the  continent. 

Mr.  S.  gives  us  the  following  table  of  persons  born  within 
the  limits  of  the  Tillipally  Station,  and  now  living,  who  were 
educated,  wholly  or  in  part,  at  the  Batticotta  Seminary.  It 
was  made  out  in  November,  1855,  and,  of  course,  entirely  irre- 
spective of  the  request  of  the  Special  Committee. 

101  Names  in  all. 

29  Reside  abroad. 

72  Within  the  station. 

* The  Committee  do  not  understand  that  the  time  devoted  to  these  respective 
studies  has  been  in  proportion  to  the  number  of  studies  themselves. 


46  Professed  heathen. 

35  “ Christians. 

11  Not  known  to  have  rubbed  ashes. 

5 Sons  of  Christians. 

4 Excommunicated  church  members. 

Leaving  out  those  who  are  abroad, 

Of  the  72  at  the  station — 

39  Are  heathen. 

16  Professed  Christians. 

9 Not  known  to  have  rubbed  ashes. 

4 Sons  of  Christians. 

4 Excommunicated  church  members. 

Of  16  Professed  Christians — 

9 Were  receiving  salaries  from  the  mission. 

1 Connected  with  the  press,  and  jet  retained. 

1 Left  the  office  when  turned  over  to  the  natives. 

1 Teacher. 

1 Left  the  Seminary,  and  has  no  employment. 

1 An  ordinary  cooly. 

1 A farmer. 

1 In  search  of  employment. 

“ Those  who  are  marked  as  heathen,”  says  Mr.  S.,  “ and  ex- 
communicated church  members,  attend  our  religious  meetings 
no  more  frequently  than  the  heathen  generally.”  He  also 
says,  that  “ if  the  salaries  of  the  mission  were  to  stop,  there 
are  only  two  or  three  of  the  Christians  whom  we  could  depend 
upon  as  permanent  residents.” 

Mr.  S.  mentions  another  fact  which  reveals  an  alarming 
state  of  things:  “That  all  our  Christians  fully  expected  that 
all  of  their  sons  should  be  educated  in  Batticotta  Seminary, 
and  all  of  their  daughters  in  the  Oodooville  Seminary ; and 
were  offended  if  they  were  not  taken ; and  I think  it  is  clear 
that  the  tendency  was  not  towards  rooting  Christianity  in  the 
soil  of  Jaffna.”  It  is  well  known  that  the  Jaffna  Church  has  had 
an  unenviable  reputation  on  the  subject  of  Caste,  and  Mr.  S. 
says:  “The  Batticotta  Graduates  have  given  us  this  reputa- 
tion ; and  it  is  also  true  that  the  leading  and  most  learned  mem- 
bers of  our  Church  give  us  the  most  trouble  on  this  subject.” 

As  to  Oodooville  Boarding  School,  the  testimony  is  that  it 
“ has  been  eminently  successful  as  a missionary  institution.” 
And  yet  the  number  who  should  be  educated  there  must  be 
graduated  by  the  prospects  of  their  being  “ married  to  suitable 
companions.”  The  training  of  this  school  would  entirely  unfit 
the  pupils  to  become  “ wives  in  ordinary  and  heathen  Tamil 
life.” 

In  relation  to  Village  Schools;  Mr.  S.  would  have  the  mission 


8 


report  on  this  subject  thoroughly  carried  out.  ‘ The  school 
should  be  select,  where  there  is  a sufficient  number  of  Christ- 
ian and  nominal  Christian  children  to  warrant  it.’  They  now 
have  provision  for  more  than  forty  village  schools,  and  he 
would  have  them  made  as  efficient  as  possible,  “ by  the  em- 
ployment of  thorough  Christian  teachers .”  1 The  school  should 

be  made  an  appendage  of  the  Church,  and  Christians  should 
feel  that  it  is  their  school,  and  that  their  children  are  to  be  pro- 
tected by  it,  as  far  as  possible,  from  heathen  influences.’  Mr. 
S.  would  encourage  schools  for  girls,  in  every  legitimate  way, 
but  not  as  has  been  done  heretofore,  “by  presents  in  the  shape 
of  fruits,  head-oil,  clothes,  jackets,  and  washing  of  clothing.” 
Some  of  these  have  been  discontinued  at  several  of  the 
stations. 

The  English  may  be  encouraged,  Mr.  S.  thinks,  to  a greater 
extent  in  large  cities,  as  in  Calcutta  and  Madras,  than  in  coun- 
try missions.  He  would  give  an  English  education  to  a few 
of  the  best  scholars  in  the  Batticotta  Seminary,  and  even  this 
should  be  done  only  to  a limited  extent ; but  he  deems  it  quite 
useless  in  Oodooville  Boarding  School.  The  best  scholars  ac- 
quire but  little,  and  what  they  have  is  of  no  practical  use  when 
they  leave  the  school.  The  desire  for  English  is  very  strong, 
and  it  is  sought  principally  “ for  the  worldly  emolument  to 
which  it  introduces  the  individual and  he  can  not  consider  it 
“ the  duty  of  the  American  Board  to  spend  its  strength  in  that 
direction.”  1 Those  who  are  capable  of  making  the  English 
valuable  in  their  work,’  he  would  have  instructed  to  a limited 
extent ; but  he  adds : “ I believe  the  majority  of  our  assistants 
will  be  as  efficient  without  it  if  they  are  properly  trained  in 
their  native  tongue.” 

On  the  ecclesiastical  question , Mr.  Sanders  says  but  little. 
The  mission  has  a “ Plan  of  Union,  which,”  he  sa}^s,  “ works 
well.”  It  is  neither  Association,  nor  Presbytery,  nor  Classis. 
“The  reaction  connected  with  the  changes  in  our  mission,” 
he  remarks,  “has  not  yet  been  so  great  as  I anticipated.”  His 
closing  appeal  to  this  country,  is  for  men  and  means  to  sustain 
and  carry  on  the  mission. 

The  Special  Committee  have  received  a letter  from  Mr.  How- 
land, dated  Batticotta,  June  27th,  1856,  which  corresponds,  in 
its  general  tenor  with  the  one  already  noticed  from  Mr.  San- 
ders. In  regard  to  the  prominence  given  to  educational  efforts, 
he  employs  strong  language  : “ The  results  of  forty  years’ 

labor  in  this  mission  do  seem  to  indicate  that  there  are  evils 
incident  to  our  educational  establishments  in  connection  with 
missions,  which  after  a series  of  years,  so  develop  as  greatly  to 
exceed  the  advantages,  and  may  be  the  means  of  destroying 


9 


more  souls  than  are  saved  by  such  instrumentality.  These 
can  not  well  be  understood  in  all  their  force,  except  by  those 
who  have  been  brought  in  contact  with  them  for  a course  of 
years,  in  actual  labor,  among  the  masses,  in  the  village  work.” 

Mr.  Howland’s  former  opinions  of  the  necessity  of  the 
English  language  for  those  who  were  preparing  to  become  re- 
ligious instructors  had  been  for  some  years  gradually  modified  ; 
they  were  still  more  modified,  during  their  late  discussions 
while  the  Deputation  was  with  them ; though  he  now  thinks 
that  it  may  be  desirable,  when  the  Seminary  is  again  com- 
menced, to  have  the  English  “ taught  to  a select  class.” 

“ On  the  ecclesiastical  relations  of  missionaries  and  native 
pastors  and  churches” — his  opinions  are  expressed  in  the  Re- 
port on  that  subject  in  the  printed  minutes,  page  37.  lie 
deems  it  not  easy  for  one  who  has  not  actually  labored  among 
the  heathen  to  understand  how  difficult  it  is  to  accommodate 
these  infant  churches  to  the  Procrustes-beds  of  denominational 
rules.  “ It  is  really  difficult,  after  a course  of  years,  for  some  of 
us  to  recognize  our  own  denominational  identity  as  individuals, 
and  I do  not  believe  any  one  of  us  knows,  or  cares  to  know, 
the  denominational  origin  of  all  the  others.” 

As  to  the  inquiry,  whether  his  “ opinions  were  in  any  re- 
spect over-ruled  by  the  action  of  the  meeting  ?”  he  says  : “Al- 
though the  evils  in  connection  with  our  work  had  been  appar- 
ent for  a long  time,  the  way  had  not  seemed  open  for  a 
change  till  the  arrival  of  the  Deputation.”  On  a subse- 
quent page  of  his  letter,  he  adds  : “During  the  meetings  with 
the  Deputation,  the  way  seemed  open  for  changes,  as  it  had  not 
been  before  ; and  there  appeared  to  be  more  unanimity  among 
ourselves  on  the  subject  than  we  supposed  there  would  be,  and 
the  changes  were  made  which  are  mentioned  in  the  reports  ; 
but  the  reasons  for  some  of  the  more  important  ones  are  not 
fully  stated  in  these  reports.  The  presence  of  the  Deputation 
undoubtedly  had  an  influence  in  bringing  about  these  changes, 
though  that  influence  was  not,  I believe,  that  of  authority.  Their 
instructions  seemed  a little  startling  when  first  read,  but  I 
did  not  feel  bound,  on  that  account,  to  yield  my  personal  con- 
victions of  duty.  At  the  commencement  of  the  discussions,  I 
dissented  from  some  of  their  propositions,  and  felt  that  I had 
perfect  liberty  to  express  my  dissent,  which  I did  on  some 
points,  and  I yielded  to  none  any  other  assent  than  that  of  con- 
viction, after  candid  discussion  and  consideration.” 

In  reply  to  the  inquiry  of  the  Special  Committee,  “Do  the 
changes  promise  an  increase  of  efficiency  in  the  work  of  con- 
version?” he  remarks:  “Perhaps  not  immediately.  But  I 
hope  for  more  success  ultimately  than  in  the  former  course.” 


10 


He  then  states  several  very  natural  and  obvious  causes  of  re- 
action ; such  as  the  blighted  expectations  of  Christians,  who 
were  quite  confident  that  all  their  children  would  be  educated 
at  the  Batticotta  Seminary  and  the  Oodooville  Female  Board- 
ing School — which  in  any  event  a few  years  would  have  proved 
to  be  fallacious,  the  reduction  of  the  wages  of  native  assistants, 
and  the  like.  “But  still  we  felt,”  he  adds,  “there  was  a ne- 
cessity for  a change.  "We  did  what  we  thought  we  must  do, 
and  tried  to  do  it  in  a way  to  avoid  as  much  evil  as  possible. 
In  the  circumstances,  we  have  cause  to  be  thankful  that  we  have 
suffered  so  little  from  it The  Christians  are  tried  in  re- 

gard to  their  own  prospects,  and  those  of  their  children ; but 
some  of  them  are  beginning  to  make  the  best  of  it,  and  are 
helping  themselves  by  way  of  obtaining  education  for  their 
children.” 

The  heathen  show  as  much  willingness  as  before  to  listen  to 
the  Gospel  message.  “ Indeed,”  says  Mr.  Howland,  “ I never 
had  so  interesting  village  meetings,  nor  held  them  so  frequent- 
ly, as  since  the  changes  were  made.  These  meetings  are  some 
of  them  held  in  private  houses,  and  in  villages  where  they  have 
no  school.  I am  especially  encouraged  by  the  results,  thus  far, 
of  the  efforts  to  transplant  Gospel  institutions  into  the  villages, 
commenced  in  connection  with  the  other  changes.  There  is 
encouragement,  and  hope  that  the  little  gatherings  in  the  vil- 
lages may  be  the  beginnings  of  Christian  churches.  The  assist- 
ants in  charge  are  benefited  by  the  responsibility  thrown  upon 
them,  and  I think  will  grow  in  strength  to  meet  it.  The 
church  recently  established  under  a native  pastor  in  my  field, 
seems  to  be  prospering,  and  the  experiment,  thus  far,  is  suc- 
cessful beyond  our  hopes.” 

The  Chairman  of  the  Special  Committee  has  received  another 
letter  from  Mr.  Howland,  bearing  date,  Batticotta,  July  2d, 
1856,  exclusively  devoted  to  the  subject  of  education. 
His  remarks,  in  this  letter,  on  the  old  village  schools  are  dis- 
criminating and  instructive,  and  may  serve  to  show  the  real 
value  of  this  instrumentality.  These  schools  have  done  much 
good  in  many  ways,  and  especially  as  the  children  were  in- 
structed in  the  Holy  Scriptures.  But  as  they  have  been  so 
connected  with  heathenism,  in  various  ways  and  forms,  being 
under  the  tuition  of  heathen  teachers,  and  heathen  lessons  hav- 
ing been  inculcated  either  openly  or  by  stealth,  they  must  have 
formed  a very  doubtful  auxiliary,  or  appendage,  of  a Christian 
mission.  Changes  for  the  better  have  been  effected  at  one  or 
more  of  the  stations.  Christian  teachers  have  in  some  instances 
been  obtained.  But  still  further  reformation  is  called  for.  Mr. 
H.  says  : “ I believe  that  in  some  few  instances  these  teachers 


11 


do  rise  above  mere  mercenary  motives,  and  really  desire  the 
salvation  of  their  pupils  ; though  their  efforts,  both  in  the  line 
of  instruction,  and  direct  labor  for  the  salvation  of  their  pupils, 
would  not  compare  with  those  of  some  of  the  most  indifferent 
Sabbath-school  teachers  in  America.” 

On  the  subject  of  Female  Education  Mr.  H.  refers  to  the  re- 
ports in  the  printed  minutes,  pp.  46  and  50. 

The  former  system  of  rewards — clothing  for  the  girls  in  the 
village  schools,  and  “ in  boarding  schools,  full  board  and  cloth- 
ing,” and  “ dowry  upon  marriage”' — have  been  gradually  discon- 
tinued, and  a less  mercenary  system  has  taken  its  place.  He 
thinks  that  the  Female  Boarding-School  at  Oodooville  “has  fur- 
nished the  most  precious  results  of  missionary  labor  in  Jaffna,” 
but  from  circumstances,  which  have  been  already  distinctly 
stated  in  the  report,  the  number  of  pupils  must  be  limited. 
He  would  seem  to  concur  fully  in  the  measures  adopted  during 
the  visit  of  the  Deputation,  on  the  subject  and  details  of  educa- 
tion in  this  school. 

“In  looking  at  results,”  says  Mr.  H.,  “it  should  be  borne  in 
mind,  in  connection  with  these  educational  efforts,  the  mission 
has  been  emphatically  and  decidedly,  from  the  beginning,  a 
preaching  mission.  Indeed,  statistics  show  that  a large  pro- 
portion of  missionary  strength  has  been  given  to  the  direct 
preaching  of  the  Gospel.  In  the  Sabbath  and  village  congre- 
gations ; by  the  way-side ; in  the  Bazars  ; from  house  to  house  ; 
from  village  to  village ; in  the  school-room  and  in  the  mission- 
ary’s study ; the  great  labor  has  been,  we  believe,  to  bring  the 
truth  as  it  is  in  Christ  Jesus,  in  direct  contact  with  the  hearts 
of  this  people,  in  humble  reliance  upon  the  renewing  and  sancti- 
fying influences  of  the  Holy  Spirit  to  make  it  effectual  to  sal- 
vation. In  summing  up  results,  therefore,  some  may  be  the  re- 
sult more  especially  of  these  labors,  and  others  more  particu- 
larly of  educational  efforts,  while  more  will  be  the  combined 
result  of  both.  Some  results  will  be  easily  traced  to  their 
cause,  and  others  not  easily.” 

On  another  subject,  which  is  prominent  in  the  present  inquiry, 
he  remarks:  “The  desire  for  English  education  has  become  in- 
tense among  both  Christians  and  heathen.  It  is  a desire  not 
founded  upon  an  estimation  of  the  language  or  the  rich  stores 
of  literature  and  science  to  which  it  is  the  key,  but  solely  upon 
the  fact  that  being  the  language  of  the  rulers  of  the  land  and 
of  the  missionaries,  acquaintance  with  it  is  the  stepping-stone 
to  honor  and  wealth.” 

This  letter  contains  a statement  of  “ Results  of  missionary 
labor  in  Ceylon ,”  pro  and  con,  which  must  have  great  interest 


12 


to  the  friends  of  this  cause.  These  results  may  be  briefly  epi- 
tomized in  our  report,  in  the  following  manner : 

‘ There  is  a very  general  diffusion  of  the  knowledge  of  Christ- 
ianity among  the  people. 

: There  is  among  many  of  the  heathen  a want  of  confidence 
in  their  religious  system. 

‘The  great  majority  of  conversions  have  been  among  the 
educated. 

‘ The  majority  of  the  Christians  are  persons  of  influence  and 
standing  in  the  community. 

‘ The  Christians  are  from  the  great  body  of  the  people. 

‘ The  thorough  Christian  education  of  both  sexes  is  exerting 
a salutary  influence  on  the  children  of  the  Church. 

1 There  are  instances  of  fervent  piety  in  the  Church,  and 
sometimes  earnestness  and  faithfulness  in  laboring  for  the  sal- 
vation of  others.’ 

“ But  on  l he  other  hand:'1 

‘ The  great  body  of  the  Church  are  more  or  less  pecuniarily 
connected  with  the  mission. 

‘ This  fact  has  made  church  membership  a thing  to  be  desired 
for  its  pecuniary  advantages. 

‘ The  heathen  generally  consider  it  a privilege  to  have  some 
of  their  relatives  connected  with  the  Church  and  mission  em- 
ployment, as  they  receive  ready  money. 

‘ This  pecuniary  relation  to  the  mission  tends  to  destroy  their 
power  as  a witnessing  Church,  among  the  heathen. 

‘ This  suspicion  among  the  people,  of  the  motives  of  Christ- 
ians, is  dispiriting  to  those  who  are  sincere. 

‘ The  missionaries  often  have  little  confidence  in  the  apparent 
interest  of  those  who  listen  to  them,  since  there  are  so  many 
ways  in  which  they  may  receive  worldly  benefit  from  them. 

‘ These  pecuniary  relations  often  tend  to  destroy  that  love 
for  one  another,  among  church  members,  which  is  one  of  the 
evidences  that  they  “have  passed  from  death  unto  life.” 

‘ This  relation  to  the  missionary  as  paid  agents,  often  ren- 
ders them  eye-servants. 

1 The  fact  that  a large  proportion  of  the  Church  are  paid 
agents,  often  awakens  envy  on  the  part  of  those  who  live  by  daily 
toil. 

‘ Those  church  members  who  have  been  trained  in  board- 
ing schools,  as  children,  where  they  have  received  every  thing 
from  the  mission,  at  length  come  to  claim,  as  a right,  what  they 
have  been  long  accustomed  to  receive  as  a gratuity. 

‘ This  state  of  things  destroys  their  confidence  in  each  other. 

‘ The  training  of  Christians  in  boarding  schools  unfits  them 
for  settling  down  on  the  soil  as  farmers. 


13 


‘ There  seems  to  be  no  opening  now  for  the  large  rising  gen- 
eration of  baptized  children,  but  to  be  educated  like  their 
parents,  and  become  the  dependents  of  foreigners. 

‘ The  yielding  of  the  heathen  to  their  Christian  relatives,  for 
the  sake  of  pecuniary  advantage,  often  has  a bad  influence  on 
the  Christians  themselves,  by  leading  them  to  conform  to  the 
heathen  superstitions  of  their  friends. 

‘ As  education  has  been  generally  confined  to  the  farmer 
caste,  and  the  Christians  are  mostly  of  that  caste,  the  lower 
castes  often  feel  that  they  are  not  welcome  to  the  Gospel  feast. 

1 The  condition  of  the  educated  young  men  who  have  not 
become  Christians,  is  a sad  one.  They  either  yield  to  open 
wickedness,  or  seek  to  fortify  their  consciences  by  some  refuge 
of  deism  or  mysticism,  and  are  often  violent  opposers  of  the 
truth. 

1 This  course  is  regarded  by  the  heathen  as  an  evidence 
against  the  moral  power  of  Christianity  to  regulate  the  heart 
and  conduct.’ 

“ Among  all  those  who  have  been  educated  in  the  Semi- 
nary”— and  we  quote  the  very  language  of  the  letter — “there 
is  probably  not  one  in  fifty ) who  makes  any  use  of  his  knowledge 
to  drink  from  the  rich  fountain  of  English  literature.  Some 
few  of  our  native  assistants  make  some  use  of  such  books  as 
Barnes’s  Notes  ; and  of  a Concordance,  or  Scriptural  Manual ; but 
they  rarely  take  up  an  English  book  to  read  it  for  the  informa- 
tion it  contains,  though  they  may  do  it  as  a means  of  improve- 
ment in  the  language.” 

This  letter  closes  with  a few  pertinent  facts  respecting  that 
field  of  Christian  effort.  There  are  favorable  materials  to  be 
wrought  upon  and  influenced — and  especially  among  those 
who  have  been  educated  in  the  schools.  There  is  much  ac- 
quaintance with  the  word  of  God,  and  often  conviction.  “ The 
present  is  emphatically^  e time  for  labor.”  The  Church,  with 
all  its  imperfections,  has  “ a blessing  in  it,”  which  may  be  ex- 
tended to  the  pagans.  He  says  : “We  want  help , we  want  men .” 
Mr.  Howland  joined  the  mission  in  1846. 

A letter  from  Mr.  Spaulding  of  the  same  mission,  dated 
Oodooville,  June  27th,  1856,  and  addressed  to  the  Chairman  of 
the  Special  Committee,  deserves  notice  in  this  place.  It  con- 
tains views  on  several  points  adverse  to  those  already  con- 
sidered, as  expressed  by  other  members  of  this  mission,  and 
especially  on  education  in  general,  and  instruction  in  the  Eng- 
lish language  in  particular,  as  connected  with  the  missionary 
work  in  Jaffna.  He  speaks  of  the  visit  of  Dr.  Anderson  and 
his  colleague  in  the  following  terms  : “ Our  Christian  fellowship 


14 


with  the  Deputation  was  delightful — all  that  the  eloquence  of 
Mr.  Thompson,  or  the  glowing  heart  of  Baxter,  could  paint  or 
feel.”  He  intimates,  however,  that  they  might  entertain  widely 
different  opinions  on  mission  policy  ; and  yet  the  discussion- 
room  did  not  interrupt  Christian  courtesy  and  fellowship,  when 
they  “ sat  together  in  heavenly  places.”  One  of  the  Deputa- 
tion he  “ had  long  known  ana  loved” — a “ Secretary  of  great 
experience” — “ whose  labors  and  self-denial  for  the  cause,”  he 
‘ honored.’  These  testimonies  to  the  Christian  spirit  and  bearing 
of  the  Deputation,  are  confirmed  by  the  whole  mission ; and 
your  Committee  may  add,  not  only  in  Ceylon,  but  elsewhere. 

As  to  the  changes  made  in  the  Batticotta  Seminary,  Mr. 
Spaulding  does  not  approve  of  them,  and  yet  he  says:  “We 
had  no  one  whose  heart  was  in  it,  and  who  could  be  spared  for 
it.  Of  course  it  must  be  modified,  or  the  horse  would  run 
away  with  his  rider ; and  many  thought  he  had  already  ! 
This  was  our  fix.  To  carry  it  on  was  impossible .”  And  yet  he 
says : “ I do  not  find  fault  with  the  Deputation,  as  such.  They 
did  what  they  were  empowered  to  do ; — perhaps  less.  (And 
no  perhaps  about  it.)  The  fault  lies  back  of  all  these,  and  grows 
out  of  the  want  of  liberal  plans  and  liberal  contributions  of 
money  for  the  great  work.”  The . fault,  according  to  Mr. 
Spaulding’s  reasoning  and  statements,  must  lie  at  the  door  of 
the  Prudential  Committee  and  the  Christian  community  in  this 
land.  It  is  in  this  connection  that  he  remarks : “ I think  it 
would  be  1 disastrous  ’ to  return  to  exactly  what  we  had  when 
the  Deputation  visited  us — with  only  one  missionary  teacher — 
with  so  little  Tamil  and  Bible — and  so  much  English  and  science. 
Give  us  a bridle  and  men  to  handle  it,  or  we  would  better  go 
on  foot.  I have  no  fellowship  with  the  plan  of  raising  little 
horses,  because  great  ones  may  run  away  with  us  ! There  is  a 
fault  somewhere.” 

Wherever  the  fault  may  be  for  the  changes  made  in  Batti- 
cotta Seminary,  and  for  closing  it  for  a time,  Mr.  Spaulding  en- 
tirely exonerates  the  Deputation  from  all  participation  in  it. 
This  is  the  only  thing  to  which  your  Committee  need  call  at- 
tention at  present. 

As  to  Oodooville  Female  Boarding  School,  Mr.  S.  would 
enlarge  rather  than  retrench.  His  views  do  not  correspond 
with  those  entertained  by  a large  majority  of  the  mission,  nor 
could  they  be  carried  out,  even  if  it  were  desirable.  This  latter 
statement  he  fully  admits.  He  would  have  the  American 
churches  furnish  men  and  money  not  only  to  carry  on  missions 
in  the  simple  form  of  preaching  the  Gospel  to  the  heathen,  but 
he  would  have  them  build  up  educational  establishments  of 
various  orders  on  a large  scale. 


Mr.  Spaulding  further  says : “ The  simple  preaching  of  the  Gos- 
pel among  the  people  of  India,  when  Catechisms  and  Scripture 
history  are  not , and  have  not  been  taught  to  the  children , has  thus 
far,  had  very  little  effect.  Conversion  simply  by  preaching,  as 
the  term  is  generally  used,  is  yet,  to  a very  great  extent, 
theory .” 

In  speaking  of  Education,  he  also  says:  “My  opinion  is,  that 
the  land  or  field  we  occupy  needs  Batticotta  Seminary  worked 
at  least  by  two  first-rate  conservative  men,  thoroughly  biblical. 
I would  take  a class  now  and  gradually  add  until  I reached  the 
aimed  at  75  or  100  students.  I would  have  central  English 
schools  to  fit  lads  for  Batticotta,  as  formerly,  in  English  as  well 
as  Tamil.”  He  adds:  “ We  should  always  have  one  man  in  the 
mission  who  should  be  treasurer  and  Indian  agent  for  secular 
business,  and  be  the  head  of  our  depository.  Such  a man  is 
much  needed,  and  saves  all  the  other  members  of  the  mission 
untold  trouble  and  time.  He  should  not  be  taxed  with  a great 
amount  of  mission dabor.  A college  and  theologically  educated 
man — a conservative.  We  are  laying  foundations — theological 
and  church  foundations ; and  one  untrained  and  ultra  man  will 
do  more  hurt  than  two  good  missionaries  can  do  good.  The 
Board,  and  the  cause  too,  have  suffered  much  from  want  of  at- 
tention to  this  subject.” 

“ To  restore  things  to  their  right  position,  I would  first  of  all 
advise  the  entire  ignoring  of  the  twenty  one  reports.” 

The  duty  which  Mr.  S.  indicates,  the  Select  Committee  can 
not  perform.  “ The  Committee  of  13  must  make  up  their  minds 
as  to  what  they  and  the  American  Churches  wish  to  have  us  do  on 
cdl  these  grand  points,  and  then  they  must  tell  us  definitively 
what  those  things  are,  and  give  us  the  means  to  carry  out  their 
wishes,  as  the  messengers  of  the  churches  and  the  glory  of  Christ. 
For  obvious  reasons  the  Committee  must  do  and  settle  this.” 
The  Special  Committee  can  not  feel  it  to  be  their  duty  to  step 
in  between  the  Prudential  Committee  and  the  mission,  and  then 
give  specific  directions  in  matters  which  that  Committee  under- 
stand much  better  than  ourselves,  which  the  Board  has  espe- 
cially confided  to  them,  and  upon  which  even  they  would  not 
exercise  the  prerogatives  which  Mr.  Spaulding  would  have  us 
assume.  No  Committee — Special  or  Prudential — would  assume 
and  exercise  such  powers,  and  no  mission  could,  in  many  cases, 
conscientiously  follow  such  dictations.  All  discretionary  power 
would  be  absorbed  in  mere  authority.  Mr.  S.  joined  the  mission 
in  1820. 

A letter  from  Mr.  Meigs,  dated  Manepy,  July  1st,  1856, 
should  be  noticed  in  connection  with  that  of  Mr.  Spaulding ; 
and,  especially,  because  they  sympathize  in  certain  opinions,  in 


16 


which,  they  differ,  to  some  extent,  from  the  other  members  of 
the  mission. 

Of  the  Deputation  Mr.  M.  speaks  in  the  kindest  and  m<5st 
commendatory  manner.  “They  gave  me  abundant  reason  to 
love  and  respect  them.  Our  intercourse  with  them,  during  the 
whole  time  of  their  residence  in  Jaffna,  was  of  the  most  de- 
lightful kind.  It  is  very  pleasant,  even  at  this  distance  of  time, 
to  call  to  mind  those  hallowed  and  precious  seasons  of  Christian 
fellowship,  which  we  then  enjoyed.  I have  somewhere  seen  it 
stated,  that  the  elder  missionaries  were  not  treated  with  proper 
respect  by  the  Deputation.  Let  me  assure  you  that  there  is  no 
foundation  for  this  remark.  During  the  whole  time  of  their 
sojourn  among  us,  we  were  treated  with  very  marked  respect 
and  kindness  by  both  of  the  members  of  the  Deputation.” 
Again  he  says:  “ I would  bear  ample  testimony  to  the  Christian 
kindness  and  gentlemanly  bearing  of  the  Deputation,  in  all  their 
intercourse  with  us.  They  exhibited  much  of  the  suaviter  in 
modo , as  well  as  fortiter  in  re.  I was  greatly  pleased  and  in- 
structed by  their  views  on  most  of  the  subjects  brought  before 
us.  They  are  men  of  great  wisdom,  and  experience,  and  piety, 
and  they  earnestly  desire  to  do  all  in  their  power  to  advance 
the  kingdom  of  Christ  among  the  heathen.  Yery  many  of  the 
measures  adopted  while  they  were  with  us,  have  my  cordial 
approbation.” 

A remark  attributed  to  Mr.  Meigs,  and  published  in  the  pa- 
pers, and  quoted  in  the  discussions  of  the  Board  at  Albany, 
has  had,  no  doubt,  much  influence  in  exciting  prejudice  against 
the  Deputation.  The  remark  was  this:  “The  Deputation  took 
much  pains  to  let  us  know  that  they  had  the  power  to  do  as  they 
pleased,  whether  we  were  pleased  or  not ; and  that  they  had 
the  power,  also,  to  stop  our  allowance,  if  we  did  not  behave 
ourselves  so  as  to  please  them.”  This  quotation  is  said  to  be 
from  a private  letter  of  Mr.  Meigs.  In  a letter  signed  by  all 
the  members  of  the  mission,  including  Mr.  Meigs,  we  find  the 
following : “ The  Deputation  did  represent  that  the  Prudential 
Committee  had  the  responsibility  of  distributing  the  funds  com- 
mitted to  their  care,  and  it  was  intimated,  in  one  or  two  in- 
stances, that,  in  the  opinion  of  the  Deputation,  they  would  not 
appropriate  them  to  certain  purposes ; but  we  have  no  recol- 
lection that  any  thing  was  said,  in  any  of  the  meetings,  which 
implied  that  our  living  was  in  danger.”  We  quote  the  letter 
again:  “Dr.  Anderson  said,  that,  if  we  thought  our  salaries 
were  insufficient,  the  Committee  would  be  willing  to  increase 
them.” 

Mr.  Meigs  informs  us  that  the  mission  disbanded  the  Batti- 
cotta  Seminary,  because  they  “ had  no  one  who  was  able  and 


17 


willing  to  teach  it.”  * * * “ Those  who  could  teach  it, 

were  placed  at  other  stations,  and  we  were  compelled  to  pursue 
the  course  we  adopted.”  And  he  suggests  that,  when  the  Se- 
minary is  reopened,  he  would  have  it  “ better  adapted”  to  the 
wants  of  the  mission,  ‘less  scientific,  and  more  biblical.  The 
number  he  would  reduce  only  to  50,  instead  of  25.’ 

In  relation  to  Oodooville  Boarding  School,  Mr.  Meigs  agrees 
with  the  great  majority  of  the  mission,  that  it  should  “ bear 
some  proportion,”  in  its  pupils,  “to  the  number  needed  as  com- 
panions for  the  native  assistants.”  In  this  sentiment  he  agrees 
with  Mr.  Sanders,  who  says : “ The  number  must  be  regulated 
by  the  marriage  market.”  Mr.  Meigs  “ would  not  advise  the 
study  of  English”  in  this  school. 

The  facts  relating  to  this  mission,  so  far  as  they  have  come 
before  your  Committee,  may  be  summed  up  in  a few  words. 
The  changes,  which  were  made  during  the  visit  of  the  Deputa- 
tion, were  adopted  by  the  mission  itself,  and  sustained  either 
unanimously,  or  by  a large  majority.  Nothing  was  forced 
upon  the  mission  by  the  mere  authority  of  the  Deputation  ; but 
the  reports  were  their  own,  and  were  the  result  of  their  own 
deliberate  judgment  and  conviction.  The  brethren  of  the  mis- 
sion, one  and  all,  bear  testimony  to  the  high  social  and  religious 
qualities  exhibited  by  the  Deputation  during  their  sojourn 
among  them.  Their  visit  refreshed  the  hearts  of  all ; and  your' 
Committee  confidently  trust  that  it  will  be  followed  by  marked 
and  blessed  results. 

Whatever  difference  of  opinion  may  exist  between  the  Com- 
mittee, and  the  deceased  Dr.  Poor,  and  the  beloved  Spaulding 
and  Meigs,  missionaries  venerable  in  age  and  service,  upon  some 
points  brought  into  view  in  this  report,  the  Committee  enter- 
tain undiminished  confidence  in  the  integrity  of  these  excellent 
men.  They  have  probably  done,  under  the  circumstances,  as 
well  as  could  have  been  done  by  any  good  men.  They  have 
borne  the  burden  and  heat  of  the  day  for  more  than  a third  of 
a century,  and  it  affords  the  Committee  pleasure  to  bear  this 
testimony  to  their  exemplary  Christian  fidelity,  and  the  high 
claim  they  have  upon  the  affection  of  the  American  churches. 


MADURA  MISSION. 

A general  letter  from  all  the  missionaries,  dated  Madura. 
June  12th,  1856,  bears  high  and  honorable  testimony  to  the 
Deputation  and  their  doings.  1 The  Deputation  had  not  deter- 
mined, as  some  have  said,  on  the  particular  changes  to  be  inau- 
gurated. In  the  meetings  for  discussion  they  manifested  quite 
2 


18 


as  much  desire  to  hear  the  opinions  of  others,  as  to  express  their 
own.  The  Deputation  had  an  influence,  and  a great  influence, 
but  the  mission  decidedly  denies,  that  it  was  such  as  to  prevent, 
their  responsibility  with  regard  to  the  reports  adopted  by  them/ 
Of  the  22  reports  ‘ there  is  not  one  in  which  they  have  a decided 
wish  to  retrace  their  steps.’  They  express  gratitude  for  the  visit, 
and  they  say  that : “ After  the  lapse  of  more  than  a year,  they 
cordially  repeat  their  assent  to  the  sentiments  expressed  in  the 
preamble  and  resolution  adopted  by  them  at  the  close  of  their 
meeting.  It  seems  to  them  due  to  the  Deputation  to  say,  that 
in  their  belief,  they  could  not  have  decided  upon  the  changes  to 
be  even  recommended  in  Jaffna.”  This  letter  is  subscribed  by 
Mr.  Herrick,  in  behalf  of  the  mission. 

Your  Committee  will  now  refer  to  a letter  from  Mr.  Herrick 
addressed  to  the  Chairman,  in  which  he  gives  his  own  opinions, 
as  a member  of  the  mission.  ‘ He  is  not  anxious,  as  an  indi- 
vidual, that  the  subject  of  the  renewal  of  the  boys’  boarding- 
school,  should  be  considered  now,  and  he  heartily  approves  of 
the  reports  touching  the  English  language.’  Mr.  H.  says : “ Our 
report,  as  well  as  the  remarks  of  the  Deputation,  upon  the  ec- 
clesiastical relation  of  missionaries  to  native  pastors  and  churches, 
meets  my  approval.”  He  would  deprecate  any  action  of  the 
Board,  which  should  oblige  the  missionaries  to  attach  undue 
importance  to  the  mere  form  of  church  government. 

In  a letter  from  Mr.  Tracy,  addressed  to  Dr.  Anderson,  and 
dated  Pasumalie,  June  18tli,  1856,  the  writer  says  : “ I am  quite 
satisfied,  from  personal  conversation  with  the  Deputation,  soon 
after  coming  into  this  mission,  that  they  had  no  definite  plan  to 
carry  out ; and  I am  bound  to  say,  that,  on  leaving  this  mission 
for  Jaffna,  the  Deputation  repeatedly  expressed  to  myself  and 
other  members  of  the  mission,  their  entire  ignorance  of  what 
was  to  be  done  in  Jaffna.”  ‘ They  had  no  doubt  that  changes 
were  necessary,  but  thought  it  possible  /hat  several  years  might 
elapse  before  such  changes  would  be  effected.’  This  last  sen- 
tence is  given  as  the  language  of  the  Deputation. 

“ In  regard  to  the  English  school  at  Madura,  the  action  ol 
the  Deputation  was  in  full  accordance  with  the  views  of  the 
mission.”  But  for  strong  reasons,  “the  mission  was  glad  to 
have  the  Deputation  assume  the  responsibility  of  the  change.” 
The  modifications  made  in  the  Seminary — of  which  he  is  Prin- 
cipal— met  with  Mr.  Tracy’s  cordial  approbation.  He  sets  a 
high  value  on  the  English  language  for  native  preachers  and 
catechists.  ‘He  agrees  with  the  Deputation  on  the  subject  of 
“ Grants  in  aid;”  and  cheerfully  reiterates  his  full  assent  to  re- 
solutions of  confidence  and  affection  passed  at  the  close  of  their 
special  meeting.’ 


19 


A letter  from  Mr.  Taylor,  addressed,  to  tlie  Chairman  of  the 
Special  Committee,  dated  Mandahasalie,  July  15th,  1856,  contains 
some  very  important  thoughts  on  the  subjects  involved  in  this 
report.  His  views  on  the  relation  of  schools  and  seminaries  to 
the  missionary  work,  drawn  up  eight  years  ago,  are  worthy  of 
the  deep  and  prayerful  consideration  of  all  who  labor  for  the 
conversion  of  the  heathen. 

“1.  The  first  business  of  a mission  is  to  disciple  the  people 
to  whom  it  is  sent. 

“2.  Having  discipled,  and  established  churches,  it  should  help 
those  churches  to  a native  ministry  suited  to  their  character  and 
wants. 

“3.  It  is  in  accordance  with  apostolic  usage,  and  is  most 
natural,  to  take  from  among  the  converts,  persons  for  the  elder- 
ship. 

“ 4.  These  should  be  men  and  not  boys , men  of  established 
character,  known  to  the  people,  taught  in  the  Scriptures,  and  apt 
to  teach. 

“5.  If  a higher  order  of  ministers,  as  to  human  attainments, 
is  desired  for  these  churches,  than  this  primitive  method  will 
secure,  it  will  not  be  till  after  the  body  of  the  churches  have 
been  morally  and  intellectually  raised  through  the  power  of 
the  Gospel ; and  with  the  demand  there  will  be  furnished  the 
supply  by  the  first  steps  in  the  reform  itself;  which  must  come 
from  Christian  family  training , perfected  by  improved  primary 
schools,  and  the  occasional  training  of  those  children  of  the 
Church  who  are  to  be  devoted  to  the  work  of  the  ministry. 

“ We  have  deviated  from  these  principles. 

“1.  We  have  taken  up  the  work  of  education  previously  to 
the  work  of  discipling,  and  as  a means  of  discipling,  rather  than 
as  a result  of  it. 

“ 2.  We  have  been  educating  the  children  of  the  heathen,  (in 
our  seminary)  for  the  work  of  the  ministry,  in  the  Church  yet  to 
be,  and  have  not  waited  for  the  children  of  the  Church,  spring- 
ing up  as  the  result  of  God’s  blessing  on  the  preaching  of  the 
Gospel. 

“ S.  We  have  been  giving  an  English  rather  than  a Tamil  and 
biblical  education.” 

Mr.  Taylor  expects  much  good  from  the  plan  now  adopted. 
If  it  is  carried  out,  the  “ Seminary  will  be  more  like  that  which 
is  needed.”  ‘ It  should  be  for  the  mission,  and  not  the  mission 
for  it.’  Mr.  T.  did  not  understand  the  Deputation  as  claiming 
for  the  Board  ecclesiastical  power  over  the  mission ; and  is  him- 
self in  favor  of  native  ecclesiastical  organizations. 

Another  letter  from  the  same  writer,  of  June  5th,  1856,  and 
addressed  to  Dr.  Anderson,  has  deeply  interested  the  Commit. 


20 


tee.  He  speaks  of  three  eras  in  the  mission,  falling  under  his 
“ observation  and  experience.”  The  first  dates  from  the  time 
when  he  entered  the  field,  about  twelve  years  ago.  The  system 
then  in  operation,  says  Mr.  T.,  “ in  its  leading  character- 
istics, was  a system  of  schools  with  heathen  masters,  for  the 
conversion  of  heathen  children.  When  these  teachers  were 
asked,  one  by  one,  if  they  were  Christians — they  all  answered, 
No.  They  were  then  asked  if  they  wished  to  become  Christians 
— and  again  they  promptly  answered,  No.  They  said,  they 
learned  Scripture  lessons,  and  taught  the  children  for  the  sake 
of  their  pay.”  The  second  period  was  one  of  “reforms  and 
compromises.”  ‘The  people  of  some  of  the  rural  villages  asked 
for  instruction  that  they  might  become  Christians.’  The 
heathen  schools  were  dropped,  and  other  schools  took  their 
place.  Congregations  were  formed,  and  these  were  the  beginning 
of  the  necessity  for  all  the  great  changes  that  have  been  made.”  The 
third  era  dates  from  the  visit  of  the  Deputation.  “Many  com- 
pounds and  buildings  were  not  in  the  right  place ; and  the 
church  organizations  were  defective.  Our  educational  system 
was  not  answering  the  end  for  which  it  was  designed.  The 
Deputation  laid  before  the  mission  the  principle,  and  it  was 
adopted  without  dissent,  That  the  governing  object  should  be  the 
conversion  of  sinners , the  gathering  of  the  converts  into  churches,  and 
the  appointing  of  pastors  over  them.  As  to  the  educational  system, 
it  was  agreed,  that  “it  should  be  for  the  mission  and  not  the 
mission  for  it.”  A few  “ might  be  well  educated  both  in  Tamil 
and  English.” 

Mr.  Taylor  enters  his  protest  against  every  form  of  the  idea, 
that  the  Deputation  exercised  any  undue  authority  over  the 
mission,  or  so  “ overshadowed  ” them,  that  they  lost,  as  it  were, 
their  senses,  and  mainly  echoed  their  views.  He  protests,  too, 
against  the  idea,  that  the  Gospel  can  not  be  given  to  the  people, 
unless  the  English  be  used  as  a medium ; and  also  against  the 
idea,  that  missionaries  will  not  have  enough  to  do  unless  they 
have  schools  to  care  for. 

Your  Committee  would  next  notice  a letter  from  Mr.  Chandler 
of  the  same  mission.  It  is  dated  Madura,  July  12th,  1856.  Of 
the  Deputation  he  uses  this  language  : “ The  visit  of  the  Deputa- 
tion to  our  mission,  I have  no  hesitation  in  saying,  I believe  to 
have  been  a great  blessing.  They  came  in  the  fullness  of  the 
gospel  of  Christ.  Their  visit  did  us  good,  and  set  forward  the 
work  of  converting  the  masses  of  the  heathen  in  this  part  of 
India,  not  a little.  They  came  not  as  lords  over  God’s  heritage, 
not  to  usurp  authority  over  us,  not  to  coerce  us  into  measures 
against  our  [deliberate  opinions — ‘ not  to  destroy  but  to  fulfill.’ 
They  came  like  noble,  disinterested,  Christian  men,  to  consult 


21 


and  advise  respecting  the  noblest  work  on  earth,  and  they  did 
not  for  a moment  betray  their  high  trust.”  He  says  in  reply  to 
our  inquiry : “ I answer;  the  reports  to  which  you  allude,  do  ex- 
press my  personal  opinions.”  Their  Seminary,  though  at  first 
on  the  plan  of  Batticotta,  has  been  “ gradually  throwing  oft' 
some  of  its  incumbrances.”  Such  seminaries  are  not  indigen- 
ous among  the  heathen,  and  in  such  a country  as  India.  They 
are  not  generally  adapted  to  do  an  efficient  work  among  the 
natives.  Missions  should  aim  to  “ evangelize  all.”  “ Begin- 
ning at  the  top  and  working  downward”  will  never  do.  He 
says  : “ I believe  we  are  now  on  the  track,  our  machinery  is  good, 
and  in  motion.  Our  great  need  is  ‘ the  spirit  of  the  living  crea- 
ture in  the  wheels.’  ” 

“ Teaching  the  English  language,  or  teaching  western  science 
in  that  language,”  he  admits,  “is  a delightful  employment  to  all 
who  are  fond  of  teaching.  But  it  is  not  the  best  way  to  reach 
the  minds  of  the  Hindoos  with  the  Gospel.  It  is  sheer  nonsense 
to  say  we  can  not  convey  to  their  minds  correct  ideas  of  the 
atonement  of  Christ  through  their  own  tongue,  owing  to  a de- 
fect in  the  language  itself.  The  language,  it  is  true,  is  full  of 
heathenism ; so  are  the  minds,  thoughts,  and  habits  of  the  people. 
The  Parthians,  Medes,  Elamites,  Egyptians,  Cretes,  and  Arabians, 

£ heard  every  man,  the  Gospel  in  his  own  tongue  wherein  he  was 
born and  many  were  converted.” 

As  to  the  ecclesiastical  question,  he  thinks  the  missionaries 
must  be  left  to  exercise  a discretion  according  to  circumstances. 
In  reply  to  the  inquiry  respecting  the  effect  of  the  late  changes 
in  the  policy  of  the  mission,  Mr.  Chandler  remarks  : “ I believe 
the  work  of  the  mission  is  going  on  with  increased  efficacy.  My 
mind  has  undergone  no  special  change  except  to  become  more 
and  more  satisfied  that  we  are  on  the  right  system.  We  need 
the  Holy  Spirit,  and  the  sympathy  and  prayers  of  all  who  love 
their  Saviour,  and  who  love  this  work.  Then  I have  no  doubt 
greater  and  more  permanent  results  will  speedily  follow.” 

Mr.  Little  and  Mr.  Webb  differ  from  many  of  the  views  ex- 
pressed in  the  above  quotations.  To  considerable  extent  their 
opinions  are  adverse  to  the  changes  introduced  during  the  visit 
of  the  Deputation.  To  some  of  these  changes,  others  of  the 
mission  also  object. 


MADRAS  MISSION. 

Mr.  Hurd,  of  this  mission,  says  : “ My  views  have  changed 
on  the  subject  of  receiving  ‘ grants-in-aid1  from  government  for 
our  schools.  My  principal  reason  for  objecting  to  them  is,  that 
the  standard  of  secular  education  in  our  schools  must  be 


much  higher  than  it  is  now  in  order  to  meet  the  requisition  of 
government  in  giving  the  aid.  It  would  be  better  to  have  no 
school  which  should  occupy  the  entire  time  of  one  missionary, 
if  the  religious  character  of  the  school  is  to  suffer.  The  Bible 
must  occupy  the  first  place  in  the  school.  The  missionary 
must  make  it  his  great  business  to  win  souls  to  Christ,  if  he  has 
a school.” 

Mr.  Hunt,  the  intelligent  missionary  printer,  has  written  to 
your  Committee  from  Madras,  July  4th,  1856,  expressing  his 
approbation  of  the  reduction  of  the  press  to  a vernacular  basis. 
On  the  subject  of  grants-in-aid , he  says : “ With  present  light  I 
am  all  doubt.  If  it  be  true,  as  has  been  stated,  that  a certain 
standard  in  secular  knowledge  shall  be  sustained  in  the  schools, 
and  that  secret  instructions  have  been  sent  after  the  Education 
Dispatch,  requiring  that  all  teachers  in  government  schools 
shall  pledge  themselves  not  to  do  any  thing  personally  to  in- 
duce their  pupils  to  change  their  religion,  though  one  may  not 
be  strictly  connected  with  the  other,  yet  I feel  very  jealous  of 
having  any  connection  whatever  with  the  government  of  such 
schools.”  He  subjoins,  “ The  Scottish  General  Assembly’s 
Mission  here,  refuses  the  assistance  of  government  on  account 
of  the  restrictions,  I believe.” 


THE  ARCOT  MISSION. 

A letter  from  this  mission,  dated  Vallore,  July  4th,  1856, 
contains  many  good  thoughts  on  the  work  of  evangelizing  the 
heathen.  The  members  of  the  mission  say:  “ That  the  leading- 
agency  to  be  used  for  the  conversion  of  India  is  the  oral  procla- 
mation of  the  Gospel  to  its  adult  population,  accompanied  by 
the  distribution  of  the  printed  word,  and  by  fervent,  persever- 
ing prayer  ; and  that  it  is  neither  scriptural  nor  wise  to  turn 
from  this  simple  plan,  appointed  by  our  divine  Redeemer,  and 
substitute  heathen  schools  as  the  means  of  propagating  Christ- 
ianity.” 

In  another  part  of  their  letter  they  say  : “ In  our  opinion 
education  should  not  be  the  forerunner  and  instrument  of 
evangelization,  but  one  of  the  precious  blessings  in  its  train.” 
Again  : “ We  think  English  should  not  be  taught  to  the  native 
youth  whom  we  are  training  for  preachers  and  assistants  in  the 
missionary  work.  This  conviction  is  gaining  strength  on 
every  side,  in  almost  every  mission  in  India.  The  study  of 
that  language  is  not  necessary  as  a medium  of  instruction. 
Science  and  theology  can  be  thoroughly  taught  in  the  verna- 
culars. There  is  no  incapacity  in  the  native  languages.  If  it 


23 


exists  anywhere  it  is  in  the  missionary,  and  for  the  reason 
that  he  devotes  himself  to  English.”  Much  more  of  this  na- 
ture, and  equally  appropriate,  might  be  quoted  if  our  limits 
would  permit.  The  English  language  leads  those  who  are  thus 
educated,  away  from  the  mission,  because  it  is  the  high  road  to 
the  patronage  of  government  and  pecuniary  gain.  They  con- 
cur with  the  Deputation  on  these  subjects. 


MAHRATTA  MISSION'S. 

A letter  from  these  missions,  signed  by  all  the  members  but 
■one,  was  addressed  to  your  Committee,  from  Western  India, 
June,  1856.  It  is  a truly  able  and  instructive  document,  and 
has  many  bearings  upon  the  great  questions  which  now  en- 
gage the  attention  of  this  Board.  These  brethren  say,  in  rela- 
tion to  certain  reports  as  to  the  manner  in  which  changes  were 
brought  about  by  the  Deputation  : “ On  this  point  we  speak 
only  for  the  Mahratta  Missions.  But  with  respect  to  these  we 
wish  to  be  distinctly  understood,  that  we  avow  ourselves  to  he  the 
authors  of  the  reports  adopted  at  our  meeting,  and  responsible  for 
die  principles  embodied  in  them.”  And  again : “It  has  been  said, 
that  these  reports  can  not  have  expressed  the  views  of  the 
missionaries,  because  their  views  were  different  before  the 
Deputation  came,  as  appears  from  their  letters.  We  do  not 
admit  the  inference,  even  if  the  premises  are  partially  true. 
We  claim  the  right  to  modify  our  opinions  for  sufficient  rea- 
sons, as  well  as  to  hold  them  unchanged.”  They  say  again  on 
this  point : “ The  part  which  the  Deputation  took  in  the  meet- 
ing was  suggestive  and  advisory,  rather  than  authoritative.” 
And  again : “We  regard  the  visit  of  the  Deputation,  as  a great 
blessing  to  the  Mahratta  Missions.” 

They  have  “ no  confidence  in  the  utility  of  schools,  taught 
by  heathen  teachers,  as  a part  of  missionary  operations.”  They 
would  have  “ Christian  teachers  employed  especially  in  those 
places  where  Christian  families  are  residing,  or  where  some 
religious  interest  is  already  awakened.”  The  necessity  of  stu- 
dying English  in  order  to  gain  access  to  religious  books,  is 
yearly  becoming  less.  Translations  and  original  works  sup- 
ply the  place  of  English.  The  study  of  this  language  often 
interferes  with  the  acquirement  of  Mahratti.  A slight  know- 
ledge of  the  English — and  this  is  all  that  is  generally  acquired 
— often  exerts  an  unhappy  effect  on  young  men.  They  be- 
come giddy,  ape  the  English,  are  alienated  from  their  own 
people,  and  are  unfit  for  the  purposes  of  the  mission.  They 
conclude  from  these,  and  many  similar  facts,  that  a judicious 


24 


selection  may  be  made  from  “the  young  men  who  have  a good 
vernacular  education,  and  that  these  only  should  be  taught 
English.” 

“ The  system  of  village  operations,”  say  these  brethren,  col- 
lecting and  organizing  churches,  and  ordaining  over  them  na- 
tive pastors,  has  our  hearty  sympathy  and  approval.  The 
trial  of  the  present  system  has  been  favorable.  “ One  year 
and  a half,”  says  this  joint  letter,  “ has  elapsed  since  the  com- 
ing of  the  Deputation,  and  we  have  had  time  to  make  trial  of 
our  present  plans.  We  look  upon  the  results  of  this  trial  with 
great  satisfaction.”  They  say,  in  this  letter,  that  a reversal  of 
the  action  taken  in  the  meeting  with  the  Deputation,  has  been 
hinted  at.  But  they  add:  “ We  have  no  fears  that  the  Board 
will  require  such  a step,  in  opposition  to  the  wishes  of  the 
missionaries  ; and  we  are  certainly  far  from  wishing  it.  We 
have  adopted  our  present  plans  with  the  fullest  conviction  that 
they  are  the  best  for  our  work.”  Again  they  say : “ After 
eighteen  months’  trial,  we  have  more  confidence  in  them  than 
at  first,  and  are  more  'deeply  interested  in  carrying  them 
out.”  The  appeal  with  which  this  letter  closes,  for  laborers  in 
the  great  harvest-field,  which  spreads  all  around  the  Mahratta 
missions,  is  truly  affecting. 

In  connection  with  this  letter  from  the  mission,  your  Com- 
mittee would  notice  two  from  Mr.  Balantine  to  Dr.  Anderson, 
one  dated  Ahmednuggur,  July  7th,  1856,  and  the  other,  July 
26th.  The  last  named  is  in  behalf  of  the  mission.  These 
letters,  as  well  as  the  one  signed  by  all  the  missionaries  except 
Mr.  Wilder,  while  intrinsically  excellent,  derive  an  additional 
importance  from  their  intimate  relations  with  the  subjects  which 
now  engage  our  attention.  Mr.  Balantine  has  forwarded  with 
his  first  letter,  a copy  of  the  constitution  of  the  native  churches 
under  the  care  of  the  mission.  “ These,”  he  says,  “are  con- 
ducted on  the  same  principles  on  which  the  mission  church 
has  been  conducted  for  years  past.”  They  consider  that  the 
fountain  of  authority  is  in  the  members  of  the  chureh,  but  do 
not  object  to  the  delegation  of  this  authority  to  a committee, 
or  a bench  of  elders,  who  with  the  pastor,  shall  transact  all  the 
business  of  the  church.  Their  constitution  is  partly  Congre- 
gational and  partly  Presbyterian,  though  the  missionaries  are  all 
Presbyterian — a fact  which  Dr.  Anderson  did  not  know  till 
after  he  returned  home.  In  his  reply  to  the  letter  of  the  Ahmed- 
nuggur mission  he  says : “How  suggestive  is  the  fact,  that  I 
did  not  know  before,  that  you  were  all  Presbyterians.  I did  not 
think  to  inquire  when  in  India,  and  there  appears  to  have 
been  nothing  in  our  discussions  to  develop  the  fact.”  Mr. 
Balantine  in  stating  this  fact,  says:  “But  we  have  adopted 


only  those  features  of  the  Presbyterian  system  which  we 
honestly  think  are  better  adapted  than  any  other,  to  the  wants 
of  our  native  pastors  and  churches  in  this  field.”  He  does  not 
think  ‘ that  the  native  Presbytery  should  be  connected  with 
any  ecclesiastical  body  in  America,  though  a correspondence 
may  be  of  advantage.’ 

The  letter  of  July  26th,  in  behalf  of  the  mission  says : “ No 
change  was  made  in  the  ecclesiastical  character  of  the  native 
churches  here,  by  the  visit  of  the  Deputation.”  “ Indeed  we  al- 
ways feel  especially  thankful  for  the  visit  of  the  Deputation, 
when  we  think  of  the  assistance  they  rendered  in  the  organ- 
ization of  the  two  native  churches,  and  in  the  ordination  of 
the  two  native  pastors  over  them.”  No  change  was  made 
from  their  former  principles.  “Nothing  was  done,”  the  letter 
expressly  states,  “ to  give  a sectarian  organization  to  the  asso- 
tion  of  native  pastors  here.”  The  missionaries  felt  perfect^ 
free  to  propose  any  thing  they  thought  best.  When  the  native 
Presbytery  or  Association  shall  become  prepared  to  perform 
all  necessary  ecclesiastical  functions,  the  mission  will  discon- 
tinue them,  and  retain  only  the  power  of  distributing  funds 
committed  to  their  trust.”  They  agree  with  Dr.  Anderson, 
that  the  missionaries  and  the  native  ecclesiastical  body  should 
remain  entirely  separate  in  all  ecclesiastical  business. 

Mr.  Wilder,  of  Kolapoor,  has  written  at  great  length  in 
opposition  to  these  views.  He  has  also  collected  testimony 
from  various  other  missionary  laborers  in  India,  of  which  the 
Committee  present  the  following  summary,  mostly  in  Mr. 
Wilder’s  own  words. 

“There  are  one  Scotch  missionary  and  nine  English  church 
missionaries  in  the  Bombay  Presidency,  all  of  whose  theory 
and  practice  is  opposed  to  the  recent  action  of  the  Deputation, 
and  the  changes  introduced  in  regard  to  schools. 

“ Fourteen  European  missionaries  in  this  Presidency  have 
given  this  testimony,  and  also,  all  the  missionaries  of  the  London 
Missionary  Society  at  Belgaum,  Bellary,  and  Bangalere  ; also, 
seven  of  the  most  intelligent  Christian  laymen,  making  in  all 
thirty,  more  than  half  of  whom  sent  their  testimony  unsolicit- 
ed. Is  it  right  to  persist  in  a system  of  measures  condemned 
by  the  united  and  unanimous  testimony  of  such  a body  of 
men  now  in  the  field  ? 

“In  these  you  will  find  abundant  testimony  to  the  small 
apparent  results  of  preaching,  compared  with  schools.  Four 
or  five  faithful  missionaries  have  spent  their  lives,  or  from  ten 
to  twenty  years,  almost  exclusively  in  tours  and  oral  preach- 
ing without  a single  convert.  Also,  to  the  importance  of  good 
English  schools  in  every  mission  in  large  towns,  and  to  the 


26 


necessity  of  vernacular  schools,  employing  Christian  teachers 
if  we  can,  and  heathen  if  we  must.” 

SYRIAN  MISSION. 

The  Committee  had  letters  before  them  from  all  the  mission- 
aries connected  with  the  Syrian  mission.  Excepting  Dr.  De 
Forest,  now  in  this  country,  nearly  all  fully  approve  of  the  course 
pursued  by  Dr.  Anderson,  during  his  visit,  and  of  whatever  was 
done  at  that  time  in  regard  to  the  mode  of  conducting  mission- 
ary operations  in  their  field  of  labor. 

A letter  from  Dr.  Smith,  dated  Beirut,  Feb.  2d,  1856,  ad- 
dressed to  Mr.  Thompson,  one  of  the  Deputation.  It  contains  a 
calm  and  able  discussion  of  several  points  involved  in  the  mat- 
ters before  this  Board ; but  it  would  not  be  possible  to  present 
the  full  force  of  his  remarks,  on  various  topics,  without  occupy- 
ing more  space  than  the  Report  will  admit.  We  restrict  our- 
selves to  two  points — the  use  of  the  English  language , and  the 
authority  of  the  Prudential  Committee  and  the  Secretaries. 

On  the  first  subject  he  has  the  following  remarks:  “With  re- 
gard to  the  use  of  the  English , I can  not  imagine  that  any  person, 
of  the  least  experience,  can  entertain  for  a moment  the  idea  of 
depending  on  it  as  a medium  through  which  to  bring  about  the 
conversion  of  a foreign  people.  If  any  one  entertains  such  a 
fancy,  let  him  picture  to  himself  a company  of  Frenchmen  com- 
ing among  us,  and  trying  to  convert  us  to  their  faith,  not  by 
addressing  us  in  English,  but  by  first  teaching  us  French,  and 
then  preaching  to  us  in  that  language.  The  deep  and  tender 
chords  of  religious  feeling  are  to  be  touched  by  the  familiar  ac- 
cents of  our  own  mother  tongue,  and  that  most  skillfully  used. 
This  every  practical  missionary  must  know  well.  The  use  of 
English,  as  a medium  of  instruction  in  schools,  appears  much 
more  plausible ; yet,  in  practice,  we  have  not  found  it  to  answer. 
We  attempted  it  in  our  former  male  seminary,  and  two  ruinous 
results  ere  long  met  us ; one  was,  as  soon  as  our  pupils  had  learn- 
ed enough  English,  they  went  into  lucrative  secular  employments, 
and  were  lost  to  our  great  object;  and  the  other,  that  they  did 
not  learn  their  own  language  well  enough  to  use  it  effectually  in 
writing  or  speaking  ; so  that  they  were  not  fitted  for,  or  useful 
as  helpers,  had  they  remained  connected  with  us.  When  w'e 
were  obliged  therefore  to  close  the  institution,  we  resolved,  when- 
ever a new  one  was  opened,  to  make  Arabic  the  only  medium  of 
instruction.  This  was  before  Dr.  Anderson  visited  us  in  1844, 
and  I think  it  possible,  that  his  decided  opinions  on  this  subject, 
were  derived  in  part  from  our  experience.  In  opening  the  pre- 
sent Seminary,  our  resolution  was  carried  out.  Arabic  is  the 


27 


only  medium  of  instruction  ; and  the  institution  is  furnishing  us 
with  a corps  of  well  trained,  efficient  helpers.” 

On  reading  the  discussions  in  the  meeting  at  Albany,  Dr. 
Smith  was  reminded  of  another  advantage  of  making  the  ver- 
nacular the  medium  of  instruction,  which  he  thinks  worth}*-  of 
being  “ made  prominent  in  this  discussion.”  “ It  is  this  : that 
we  have  been  obliged  to  prepare  and  print  text-books  in  the 
different  branches  of  science,  thus  enriching  the  language  with 
the  means  of  education,  which  the  natives  can  introduce  into 
their  own  institutions  ; and  thereby  helping  them  on  as  a na- 
tion in  their  own  efforts  towards  intellectual  improvement. 
This  great  benefit  from  our  labors  they  appreciate,  and  fully 
acknowledge.  Had  brother  Allen’s  great  printing  establish- 
ment at  Bombay  had  near  it  institutions  taught  in  the  vernac- 
ular, and,  of  course,  calling  for,  and  furnishing  elementary 
books  in  the  native  language,  he  would  not  have  it  to  say, 
after  so  many  years,  that  the  vernacular  does  not  furnish  the 
means  of  teaching,  and  therefore  English  must  be  used.” 

The  other  point  on  which  we  would  give  an  extract  from 
this  letter,  has  reference  to  the  authority  of  the  Prudential 
Committee  and  the  Secretaries.  “ And  here  allow  me  to  re- 
mark, that  while  I do  not  deprecate  a healthful  jealousy  on  the 
part  of  the  Christian  community  of  those  who  are  intrusted 
with  such  momentous  interests  as  are  in  the  hands  of  the  execu- 
tive officers  of  our  Society,  yet  I do  think  every  movement  is 
much  to  be  lamented  which  shall  result  in  really  diminishing 
the  confidence  of  the  friends  of  missions  in  them,  or  unduly 
weakening  their  authority  over  the  missionaries  whom  it  is 
their  business  to  direct.  It  is  perfectly  evident,  that  the  main 
consideration  which  underlay  most  of  Dr.  Anderson’s  sugges- 
tions, and  especially  of  those  which  he  urged  with  the  most 
earnestness,  or  if  you  please,  authority , was  economy.  lie  was 
inquiring  into  every  department  and  every  station,  to  see 
where  expense,  in  less  essential  matters,  might  be  saved,  and 
yet  leave  all  that  is  essential  to  the  efficient  working  of  the  mis- 
sionary system  in  free  action.  Hot  that  he  undervalued  the 
real  importance  of  the  so-called  secondary  departments,  and 
would  not  like  to  see  them  large  and  flourishing,  but  the 
churches  do  not  actually,  after  all  that  is  done,  year  after  year, 
to  stimulate  their  benevolence,  give  contributions  large  enough 
to  accomplish  all  this.  And  now,  is  it  the  right  way  to  rem- 
edy the  difficulty,  to  get  up  an  agitation,  which,  by  weakening 
the  confidence  in  our  directors,  shall  diminish  the  income  of 
the  Board,  and  thus  bring  down  the  screws  with  a still  harder 
pressure  ? Truly,  I am  afraid  that  not  many  missionaries  who 
are  bearing  the  burden  and  heat  of  the  day,  in  the  very  depart- 


28 


ments  under  consideration,  will  be  able  to  tbank  their  friends 
very  cordially  for  the  direction  they  have  given  to  this  matter. 
Pray  excuse  my  earnestness,  but  having  been  myself  engaged 
for  nearly  thirty  years  in  one  of  these  departments,  I have  per- 
haps a right  to  speak  freely.  As  to  authority , who  can  doubt 
that  men  appointed  to  take  charge  of  so  many  important  inter- 
ests, and  have  the  direction  of  so  many  individuals,  should  be 
intrusted  with  it,  and  be  expected  to  exercise  it?  For  one, 
under  the  salutary  checks  of  a watchful  and  yet  confiding 
Christian  public,  I am  not  afraid  of  it.  So  far  as  my  observa- 
tion and  experience  go,  I believe  it  has  been  hitherto  wisely 
and  very  indulgently  exercised.  I should  regret  to  see  it  di- 
minished. It  is  necessary  to  the  impartial  distribution  of  the 
funds  of  the  Board,  and  not  less  necessary  to  the  safe  Avorking 
of  our  system  of  self-governing  missions.  Without  it,  every 
mission  would  ofttimes  be  in  danger  of  shipwreck.  With  any 
considerable  diminution  of  it,  I think  the  missionary’s  position 
would  be  much  less  desirable  and  comfortable  than  it  is  now.” 

A letter  from  Mr.  Calhoun,  addressed  to  Dr.  Treat,  one  of 
the  Secretaries,  dated  Abeik,  Feb.  5th,  1856,  properly  claims  a 
place  here.  He  has  fully  expressed  his  vieAvs  on  the  study  of 
the  English,  as  one  of  the  agencies  of  the  missionary  work. 
He  remarks : “ I Avish  then  to  say,  that  with  his  views,  (Dr. 
Anderson’s,)  Which  I suppose  are  the  vieAvs  of  the  Prudential 
Committee  in  reference  to  the  study  of  the  English,  I fully  ac- 
cord, as  I believe  do  all  my  brethren.  Our  Seminary  for 
males  was  formerly,  as  you  knoAV,  in  Beirut.  English  Avas  pro- 
minent. The  mission  thought  it  ought  to  be.  It  Avas,  in  a con- 
siderable measure,  the  medium  of  instruction.  When  I came 
to  this  mission  in  1844,  I Avas  appointed  to  take  charge  of  the 
Seminary  then  to  be  reopened  after  a long  interval,  aneAV.  I 
found  the  brethren  decided  on  two  points  : first,  the  Seminary 
ought  not  to  be  in  Beirut  as  formerly,  but  on  the  mountain ; 
and  secondly,  that  the  English  language  ought  not  to  be  the 
medium  of  instruction,  nor  occupy  any  prominent  place  in  the 
system.  Experience  of  large  evils  had  brought  them  to  these 
conclusions.  Years  have  passed  away,  and  I believe  all  are 
convinced  that  Ave  are  in  the  right.  I need  not  enter  into  the 
reasons.  The  decisions  of  experience  are  all  you  Avant.” 

Another  particular.  “ Secondly,  I AArant  to  say  (and  this  is 
Avhat  I could  not  say  to  Dr.  A.)  that  after  a prolonged  inter- 
course Avith  him,  during  his  visit  in  Syria,  in  the  house  and  by1' 
the  way,  in  private  conversation  and  in  public  conference,  I be- 
came most  deeply  impressed  Avith  the  largeness  of  his  vie\A’s 
and  the  extent  of  his  experience.  I am  free  to  say,  and  believe 
all  my  brethren  will  coincide  Avith  me,  that  on  many  points  he 


29 


helped  us  mightily.  His  opinions  are  clearly  conceived,  and  as 
clearly  expressed ; and,  if  to  some,  as  appears  from  reports  in 
the  papers,  he  may  seem  to  be  dictatorial  in  his  manner,  I am 
persuaded  that  this  arises,  not  from  a desire  to  assume  authority, 
but  from  a deep  conviction  that  the  truth  is  with  him.  I will 
only  add  farther,  that  I was  never  before  so  fully  aware  of  the 
thorough  spirituality  of  his  religious  experience  and  his  un- 
wavering confidence  in  God.  I,  perhaps,  hardly  need  have 
written  a line  on  these  topics,  but  as  misrepresentations  exist, 
I thought  that  a testimony  from  however  humble  a source, 
might  not  be  without  its  use.” 

A letter  from  Mr.  Ford,  written  at  Beirut,  and  dated  June 
15th,  1856,  bears  a concurrent  testimony  with  that  of  the  other 
letters  of  the  same  mission,  “ In  regard  to  the  use  of  the  Eng- 
lish language,  as  a medium  of  instruction  for  the  young,  I am 
fully  and  strongly  agreed  with  the  mission  and  the  Prudential 
Committee  in  deprecating  its  use,  except  in  rare  and  excep- 
tional cases.  Among  the  young  people  in  Syria  who  have 
learned  some  English,  I have  seen  quite  as  much  evil  as  good 
resulting  from  its  use,  and  perhaps  more.”  He  says,  on  another 
topic  to  which  frequent  reference  has  been  made : “ The  report 
adopted  by  our  mission  on  the  subject  of  the  relations  of  mis- 
sionaries to  native  churches  and  pastors,  having  been  prepared 
mostly  by  my  own  hand,  expresses  of  course  the  views  with 
which  my  judgment  coincides.” 

Mr.  Ford  tells  us,  that  “ the  conferences  of  the  senior  Secre- 
tary with  our  mission,  were  not  connected  with  any  change  in 
the  general  policy  we  had  been  pursuing.  His  suggestions 
were  rather  calculated  to  give  definiteness  and  completeness  to 
the  policy  which  has  been  generally  prevailing  and  becoming 
established  in  our  mission  for  years  past.”  Touching  another 
point,  he  says : “ It  may  not  be  amiss  to  add,  that  the  degree 
of  control  and  authority  exercised  by  the  Prudential  Committee 
through  its  Secretaries,  so  far  as  it  has  been  felt  in  our  mission, 
has  always  seemed  to  me  a relief  to  the  mission,  rather  than  a 
burden  or  hindrance.”  Of  the  means  of  promoting  confidence 
between  the  Prudential  Committee  and  the  mission,  he  observes : 
“ I know  of  none  more  effectual  than  the  frequent  repetition  of 
such  visits  to  the  missions  as  that  which  it  has  been  our  privi- 
lege recently  to  enjoy.” 


ABMENIAN  MISSION. 

Your  Committee  have  in  their  hands  several  letters  from  this 
mission:  one  from  Hr.  Dwight,  and  another  from  Dr.  Goodeli, 


30 


are  rich  in  thought  and  full  of  facts,  and  bearing  directly  upon 
the  subject  of  our  investigations ; and  it  is  so  difficult  to  do 
them  justice  by  any  abridgment  or  synopsis,  that  we  shall  take 
the  liberty  of  reading  them,  in  extenso,  as  a part  of  our  Report. 

“ Constantinople,  June  2,  1856. 

“ Rev.  Leonard  Bacon,  D.  I).,  Chairman  pro  tem. 

“ Dear  Sir , — I have  recently  received  your  circular  dated  at 
Boston,  April  16,  desiring  from  me  answers  to  certain  ques- 
tions respecting  the  visit  of  the  Deputation  to  this  field,  and  its 
results.  In  answer  to  question  Ho.  1, 1 have  to  say,  that  what- 
ever is  recorded  in  the  printed  minutes,  etc.,  of  the  Conferences 
held  at  Constantinople,  between  Dr.  Anderson  and  the  mission- 
aries then  found  in  this  place,  as  the  action  of  the  meeting,  is 
so  far  as  I know,  a fair  expression  of  my  own  personal  opinions, 
on  the  various  questions  that  came  before  us.  I was  not  con- 
scious of  being  overruled  myself  on  any  point,  nor  did  I ob- 
serve any  thing  that  led  me  to  think  that  my  brethren  were 
overruled  by  the  Deputation.  Our  discussions,  on  all  the 
topics,  were  perfectly  free  and  unconstrained ; and  so  far  as  I 
know,  if  any  of  us  had  differed  from  the  ground  taken  by  Dr. 
Anderson  on  any  point,  we  should  not  have  felt  the  slightest 
hesitation  in  expressing  the  difference  to  our  highly  respected 
and  much  beloved  Secretary. 

“In  reply  to  the  second  question,  I would  state  that  so  far  as 
I now  recollect,  no  changes  in  the  policy  of  our  mission  were 
even  proposed  by  Dr.  Anderson,  and  of  course,  none  have 
gone  into  effect.  The  only  point  on  which  there  is  an  apparent 
exception  to  this,  relates  to  our  Seminary  at  Bebek.  The  ques- 
tion of  making  it  exclusively  a Theological  Seminary,  was  dis- 
cussed, and  decided  in  the  affirmative;  but  as  this  was  the 
original  design  of  the  Seminar}^  and  especially  as  it  has  been 
the  policy  of  our  mission  to  bring  the  institution  ultimately 
into  this  shape,  it  was  only  a question  of  time.  When  Dr. 
Anderson  was  here,  several  of  the  most  respected  of  our  native 
brethren  waited  upon  him,  in  committee,  and  among  other 
things,  suggested,  of  their  own  accord,  such  a change  in  our 
Seminary.  Our  own  opinions,  so  far  as  I know,  were  unani- 
mous on  the  subject,  and  as  a result  of  the  deliberations  at  the 
Conference,  we  are  now  aiming  at  a gradual  reduction  in  the 
number  of  our  pupils,  with  the  view  of  ultimately  retaining 
only  those  who  give  evidence  of  piety,  and  who  may  be  con- 
sidered fair  candidates  for  the  work  of  the  ministry.  For  my 
part,  I shall  be  heartily  rejoiced  when  our  Seminary  is  brought 
fully  upon  this  ground ; though  it  was  agreed  on  all  hands, 
that  no  violent  haste  should  be  used  in  making  the  change. 


31 


“ The  fact  is,  that  the  policy  adopted  from  the  first,  in  the  Ar- 
menian mission  in  regard  to  schools,  seminaries,  etc.,  I suppose 
to  be  very  much  the  same  as  that  which  the  majority  of  the 
missionaries  of  the  Board  in  India,  have  recently  decided  was 
best  for  them. 

“ On  the  question  as  to  the  comparative  importance  of  schools 
and  preaching,  if  you  wish  to  know  my  views,  I would  refer 
you  to  an  essay  I presented  at  the  annual  meeting  of  our  mis- 
sion in  May,  1855,  on  the  apostolic  example  as  a rule  for  us,  a 
copy  of  which  was  sent  to  the  Missionary  House.  That  schools 
of  some  sort,  and  to  some  extent,  are  to  be  used,  in  the  system 
of  missionary  means,  appears  to  be  conceded  on  all  hands.  It 
is  my  opinion  that  no  general  rules  of  universal  application 
can  be  framed  so  as  to  cover  all  cases,  and  prescribe  the  exact 
limit  to  which,  every  missionary  may  go.  Even  in  one  and  the 
same  mission,  what  may  be  highly  expedient  at  the  beginning, 
may  be  wholly  inapplicable  after  a few  years.  I can  conceive 
of  no  better  judges  in  the  matter,  than  intelligent  and  devoted 
missionaries  upon  the  ground.  In  this  mission,  the  majority 
of  missionaries  has  always  virtually  decided  such  questions ; 
and  I have  yet  to  learn  that  any  different  course  has  been 
adopted  in  India,  or  in  any  other  field  of  the  Board. 

“In  regard  to  ecclesiastical  organizations,  etc.,  lean  say  that 
during  the  twenty-eight  years  that  I have  been  connected  with 
the  Board,  I do  not  remember  that  I have  ever  once  been  asked 
by  any  Secretary,  or  member  of  the  Prudential  Committee, 
whether  I was  a Presbyterian  or  a Congregationalist.  I should 
like  to  have  you  ask  the  gentlemen  at  the  Missionary  House, 
whether  any  of  them  know  which  I am  ? 

“ When  the  Protestant  Armenians  were  separated  from  the 
old  Armenian  Church,  I was  called  upon  to  assist  my  brethren 
here  in  organizing  them  into  a new  ecclesiastical  body.  The 
original  draft  of  the  form  of  organization  was  made  by  my  own 
hand,  and  I hereby  testify,  that  neither  directly  nor  indirectly 
was  one  word  said,  nor  one  particle  of  influence  used,  from  the 
Missionary  House  in  Boston,  on  the  subject.  We  had  among 
us  Presbyterians,  Old  School  and  Hew  ; German  Reformed ; and 
Congregationalists  ; and  by  previous  agreement,  we  threw  over- 
board all  our  sectarianism,  and  consequ'ently  came  to  a harmo- 
nious result.  The  majority  of  the  mission  decided  the  point, 
and  the  rest,  having  got  rid  of  their  sectarianism,  were  satisfied. 
Could  any  better  rule  be  conceived  of  than  that,  in  each  mission 
of  the  Board,  the  majority  should  decide  ? Who  would  advo- 
cate, in  preference,  the  establishment  of  two  or  three  different 
kinds  of  church  organization  by  missionaries  of  the  Board,  in 
one  and  the  same  place,  as  being  likely  to  do  the  most  good  to 


32 


the  souls  of  men  and  the  kingdom  of  Christ  ? If  the  majority 
of  missionaries  here  had  been  Presbyterian,  the  form  of  organiz- 
ation would  naturally  have  been  Presbyterian,  and  all  would 
have  been  perfectly  harmonious  in  that,  and  no  influence  from 
home  could  have  prevented  it ; and  I am  perfectly  certain  that 
none  would  have  been  used. 

“ I wish  to  add  one  remark  on  this  topic ; namely,  that  I re- 
gard the  effort  now  being  made  in  some  quarters  to  sectarianize 
missionaries,  as  a very  hopeless  one.  We  have  got  very  far 
beyond  that ; and  we  all  feel  that  we  hold  the  vantage-ground 
above  our  brethren  at  home,  and  I think  we  shall  not  be  very 
easily  persuaded  to  relinquish  it. 

“ Encouraged  by  your  intimation  near  the  close  of  your  cir- 
cular, I would  add  the  following  statements  on  matters  pertain- 
ing, as  I suppose,  to  the  business  referred  to  the  Special  Com- 
mittee. I have  never  noticed,  either  in  the  Prudential  Commit- 
tee, or  in  the  Secretaries,  the  slightest  disposition  to  exercise 
any  undue  authority  over  us.  On  the  contrary,  they  accede 
almost  invariably  to  whatever  the  mission,  as  such,  recom- 
mends ; and  I really  think,  that  as  things  are  now  constituted 
and  ever  have  been,-  there  is  far  more  danger  of  the  missions 
overshadowing  the  Prudential  Committee,  than  there  is  of  the 
Committee’s  overshadowing  the  missions.  I have  been  ac- 
quainted with  operations  of  several  other  societies,  and  I know 
of  not  one  in  which  so  much  power  is  left  in  the  hands  of  the 
missions,  and  in  which  there  is  so  little  interference  from  home. 

“ As  to  our  senior  Secretary,  I may  say  to  you,  what  deli- 
cacy would  forbid  me  to  write  to  the  Missionary  House,  that 
I have  known  him  well  for  twenty-six  years,  and  I know  of 
no  one  less  disposed  to  exercise  authority  than  he.  In  all  his 
official  intercourse  with  us,  whether  by  letter  or  by  personal 
visitation,  (and  he  has  been  here  twice)  it  has  been  always  trans- 
parently evident  that  he  wished  to  be  governed  himself,  and 
to  have  us  governed,  by  facts  and  substantial  arguments.  He 
brings  to  the  discussion  of  every  missionary  question  a mind 
clear,  systematic,  and  comprehensive;  rich  in  the  stores  of  a 
long  and  well  husbanded  experience,  and  deeply  imbued  with 
the  spirit  of  primitive  Christianity.  Of  course,  such  a man 
must  have  positive  opinions,  and  who  would  desire  to  see  one 
in  his  position  that  had  not?  But  I have  never  discovered  in 
him  the  slightest  inclination  to  domineer. 

“I  have  sometimes  thought  that,  to  a mind  complacent  in  it- 
self and  unwilling  to  yield,  no  greater  weapons  of  tyranny  can 
appear,  than  strong  facts  and  arguments , and  so  far  as  my  know- 
ledge goes,  Dr.  Anderson  has  never  wielded  any  other  weapons 
of  tyranny  than  these. 


33 


“I  trust  that  the  Lord  will  guide  you,  in  all  your  investiga- 
tions and  conclusions,  and  that  all  may  tend  to  His  glory.  I 
remain,  dear  sir,  with  sentiments  of  high  respect  and  esteem, 
“Very  sincerely  yours, 

“H.  G-.  0.  Dwight.” 

“Constantinople,  June  2 cl,  1856. 

“ To  the  Rev.  L.  Bacon , D.D.,  Chairman  pro  tern.,  etc.,  etc. 

“ My  dear  Brother, — Your  circular  of  April  16th,  was  duly 
received,  and  I am  happy  to  say  a few  things  in  reply ; or,  if 
not  all  of  them  directly  in  reply,  yet  all  of  them  having  refer- 
ence to  the  same  general  subject, — and 

“ 1st.  What  is  desirable  or  indispensable  in  one  mission,  is 
not  so  in  another.  Also,  what  is  necessary  in  any  particular 
mission  at  one  time,  may  not  be  so  at  another ; for  when  that 
which  is  perfect  is  come,  then  that  which  is  in  part  should  be 
done  away.  For  instance,  when  I first  came  to  these  coun- 
tries, we  were  glad  to  get  hold  of  any  little  boy  or  girl,  to  teach 
English,  Italian,  or  any  thing  else,  no  matter  what.  It  was  all 
we  could  do.  It  was  an  entering  wedge.  But  we  should  be- 
very  foolish  to  employ  our  time  in  any  such  way  now,  or  to' 
think  that  this  was  the  only  or  the  best  way  of  conducting 
missions.  There  has  been  a great  onward  progress  of  things. 
Times  and  circumstances  have  changed,  and  why  should  not 
we  change  with  them?  On  opening  our  female  boarding 
school,  eleven  years  ago,  English  was  more  or  less  taught  in 
it.  It  was  an  inducement  for  pupils  to  come,  and  we  were 
glad  to  get  them  on  any  terms,  and  moreover  our  female 
helpers  had  then  learned  so  little  Armenian,  that  they  were 
not  competent  to  teach  in  it  except  to  a limited  extent.  But 
from  year  to  year  English  text-books  gave  place  to  Armenian 
ones,  till  the  study  of  English  ceased  entirely.  It  must  now 
be  more  than  two  years,  since  any  English  has  been  taught  in 
this  school.  Why  were  we  furnished  with  a press  and  Arme- 
nian type,  but  to  use  for  the  good  of  the  people  ? And  what  do 
those  pupils,  who  marry  at  the  age  of  fifteen  or  sixteen  years, 
want  of  the  English  language,  to  make  them  good  Christian  mo- 
thers?— nothing,  absolutely  nothing.  Nor  do  we  now  need 
it  as  an  inducement  for  pupils  to  come  ; for,  without  any  such 
inducement,  we  have  offers  of  more  pupils  than  we  can  take. 

“2.  For  theological  students,  I mean  for  those  of  them  who 
are  expected  to  go  through  the  whole  course  at  the  Bebek 
Seminary,  and  who  are  to  be  employed  as  our  principal  pastors 
or  translators,  it  certainly  seems  very  desirable  that  they 
should  understand  English,  on  account  of  the  commentaries  and 
other  helps,  which  are  found  in  that  language,  and  which  it  can 
3 


34 


hardly  be  expected  will  be  found  very  abundantly  in  their  own 
for  some  time  to  come.  But  I must  confess,  that  in  the  late 
war  the  temptations  to  the  young  men  to  engage  as  interpreters 
to  the  officers  in  the  army  were  so  great,  that  I sometimes  most 
heartily  wished,  that  all  the  English  were  taken  out  of  the 
Seminary  and  flung  to  the  bottom  of  the  Dead  Sea.  During  the 
last  two  years,  on  account  of  our  peculiar  circumstances,  the 
English  has  certainly  proved  proved  a curse,  and  not  a bless- 
ing, and  yet  perhaps  I ought  not  to  say  so  ; for  it  is  the  provi- 
dence of  God  that  has  thus  ordered  it,  and  this  same  providence 
can  bring  immeasurable  good  out  of  what  now  seems  to  be  a 
great  evil.  But  let  us  suppose  that  the  study  of  the  English 
in  our  Seminary  should  be  attended  with  the  same  embarrassing 
circumstances  in  years  to  come,  as  it  has  been  for  the  last  year 
or  two,  what  shall  be  done?  Shall  the  English  be  thrown 
out  entirely  ? or  shall  we  continue  it,  and  then  look  to  Tocat 
and  Aintab  for  pastors  and  teachers  ? Perhaps  in  such  a case, 
the  question  should  be  thrown  back  upon  the  churches,  whether 
they  would  support  a seminary  with  so  little  prospect  of  raising 
up  a native  agency  and  ministry.  Individuals  could  do  it,  or 
any  voluntary  combination  of  individuals  could  do  it;  but 
ought  the  funds  of  the  Board  to  be  so  employed  ? and  especially, 
ought  they  to  be  so  employed  at  the  present  time,  when  such 
wide  doors  are  now  open  for  preaching  the  glorious  Gospel,  and  we 
can  not  enter  them  because  the  funds  of  the  Board  are  so  limit- 
ed ? In  the  first  years  of  our  mission,  the  Bebek  Seminary 
would  have  been  a great  help  to  us,  even  though  it  had  not  fur- 
nished us  with  a single  pastor,  translator,  or  teacher ; for  its 
influence  was  great  in  securing  favor,  and  bringing  us  into  con- 
tact with  men.  But  influence  of  this  kind  we  no  longer  need. 

“3.  On  the  subject  of  the  ecclesiastical  relations  of  mission- 
aries to  native  pastors  and  churches,  I long  ago  formed  an  opin- 
ion, which  I at  different  times  expressed  more  or  less  fully  in 
my  correspondence  with  the  Committee,  and  which,  though  it 
seemed  to  meet  with  but  little  favor,  then,  I was  happy  to  find, 
in  the  paper  read  to  us  by  Dr.  Anderson,  all  contained  and  bet- 
ter expressed,  than  in  any  hints  I had  even  thrown  out  on  the 
subject.  As  a matter  of  fact,  we,  at  this  station,  had  already 
long  acted  very  much  in  accordance  with  the  views  expressed 
in  that  paper.  In  fact  the  Deputation,  (with  reverence  be  it 
spoken,)  11  in  conference  added  nothing  to"  us.  That  is,  I do  not 
now  recollect  a single  thing  which  Dr.  Anderson  proposed  to 
us,  which  we  had  not  already  adopted,  or  were  actually  waiting 
to  adopt,  just  as  soon  as  we  had  his  sanction  to  do  so.  Let  me 
not,  however,  be  understood  as  implying  that  Dr.  Anderson’s 
visit  was  of  no  use  to  us ; for  it  was  of  very  great  use.  It  was 


35 


the  very  thing  we  wanted.  We  looked  forward  to  it  with 
great  pleasure,  and  we  look  back  upon  it  Avith  still  greater 
pleasure.  The  only  expressions  I have  ever  heard  from  my 
brethren  and  sisters  in  reference  to  his  visit  here,  have  been 
those  of  thankfulness.  We  needed  his  help  to  do  certain  things, 
which,  though  we  wished  to  have  done,  we  felt  incompetent  to 
do  ourselves  ; but  Ave  have  now  done  them,  and  Ave  are  glad. 
It  Avas  a great  satisfaction  and  a great  encouragement  to  us,  to 
know  that  our  vieAVS  were  substantially  his,  and  that  his  vieAvs 
were  substantially  ours,  on  all  the  great  subjects  that  came  be- 
fore us.  And  we  only  regret  that  his  colleague,  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Thompson,  could  not  have  been  here  also. 

“ In  conducting  missions  on  a large  scale,  there  must  neces- 
sarily be  much  power  and  authority  vested  somewhere,  and 
power  is  always  dangerous. 

“But  most  disastrous  effects  Avould  follow  the  taking  aAvay  of 
this  power.  I would  rather  see  it  increased  than  diminished. 
I hope,  therefore,  every  precaution  will  be  taken  in  the  present 
controversy,  not  to  Aveaken  the  authority  of  those  to  Avhom  is 
committed  the  great  responsibility  of  directing  and  superin- 
tending this  great  enterprise  of  the  Christian  Church. 

“ I do  not  know  that  I need  say  any  thing  more,  unless  it  be 
that  I have  not  consulted  Avith  any  of  my  brethren,  as  to  Avhat 
I should  Avrite,  or  as  to  what  they  Avere  intending  to  Avrite,  or 
Avhether  they  were  going  to  Avrite  at  all,  or  Avhether,  indeed, 
they  had  received  your  circular.  I have  simply  stated  my  own 
impressions,  and  praying  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  to  give 
you  and  the  other  members  of  ‘ the  Special  Committee’  his 
special  presence  and  aid  in  the  matter  referred  to  you  at  Al- 
bany, I remain, 

“Yours  most  truly, 

“ W.  Goodell.” 

The  document  from  the  Prudential  Committee  already  re- 
ferred to,  styled  “ Outlines  of  Missionary  Policy,”  Ave  in- 
corporate with  this  report  as  the  most  natural  and  convenient 
mode  of  bringing  it  before  the  Board. 


OUTLINES  OF  MISSIONARY  POLICY. 

Missions  are  instituted  for  the  spread  of  a scriptural , self-propa- 
gating Christianity.  This  is  their  only  aim.  Civilization,  as 
an  end,  they  never  attempt ; still  they  are  the  most  successful 
of  all  civilizing  agencies,  because  (1.)  a certain  degree  of  gen- 
eral improvement  is  involved  in  a self-propagating  Christianity, 


36 


and  must  be  fostered  as  a means  thereto ; and  (2.)  a rapid 
change  in  the  intellectual  and  social  life  is  a sure  out-growth 
therefrom. 


CONDITIONS  OF  THE  ENTERPRISE. 

The  object , then,  which  missionary  societies  have  in  view,  is 
simple;  but  in  reaching  it,  they  are  subject  to  many  conditions. 

1.  Their  ability  is  limited;  hence  economy  in  the  employ- 
ment of  men  and  money  becomes  imperative. 

2.  Multitudes  are  perishing  in  all  the  earth  without  the 
knowledge  of  Christ ; time,  therefore,  is  an  important  element 
in  their  policy. 

3.  The  machinery  which  they  use,  is  necessarily  large  ; for 
this  reason  they  will  always  prefer  simplicity  in  their  opera- 
tions. 

4.  Secular  complications , as  tending  to  weakness,  they  will 
studiously  avoid , so  far  as  may  be  practicable. 

5.  As  their  resources  depend  upon  the  confidence  reposed  in 
them,  their  plans  must  secure  the  approval  of  their  constituency. 

6.  The  reflex  bearing  of  missions  is  of  the  highest  import- 
ance : hence  the  effect  of  particular  measures  upon  the  churches 
should  ever  be  kept  in  mind. 

These  are  conditions  which  meet  us  at  the  threshold  ; they 
are  permanent , and  in  some  sort  necessary. 

But  an  outward  view  of  the  missionary  work  reveals  the  ex- 
istence of  other  conditions,  which  may  be  called  variable  or  con- 
tingent. 

1.  The  peculiarities  of  different  fields  must  be  taken  into  the 
account.  More  must  be  done  for  education  among  the  North 
American  Indians,  than  will  be  possible  in  China.  In  the  same 
country,  and  even  in  the  same  mission,  there  will  be  material 
diversities.  Madras  and  Bombay  require  schools  of  a higher 
order  than  Dindigul  and  Ahmednuggur.  Arrangements  which 
meet  the  wants  of  Sivas,  will  fall  below  the  demands  of  Con- 
stantinople. 

2.  The  preferences  and  aptitudes  of  missionaries  must  be  taken 
into  the  account.  The  individuality  of  each,  within  certain 
limits,  should  be  regarded.  One  is  averse  to  teaching;  another 
loves  it.  One  has  no  taste  for  literary  labor  ; another  delights 
in  it.  Such  facts  should  be  duly  considered. 

3.  The  age  of  a mission  must  be  taken  into  the  account.  A 
system  which  is  good  at  the  beginning,  may  prove  defective  in 
later  years. 

4.  The  strength  of  a mission  must  be  taken  into  the  account. 
Plans  that  would  be  wise,  if  there  were  a larger  force  to  execute 
them,  may  be  unwise  in  existing  circumstances. 


37 


5.  The  importance  of  a harmonious  cooperation  must  be  taken 
into  the  account,  (a)  Unity  of  views  between  missionaries  and 
their  directors  is  eminently  desirable.  If,  therefore,  the  former 
are  decidedly  in  favor  of  a particular  line  of  policy,  they  should 
be  gratified,  unless  there  are  strong  reasons  to  the  contrary. 
( b ) Unity  of  views  among  the  missionaries  themselves  is  emi- 
nently desirable.  Any  plan,  therefore,  which  will  avoid  the 
danger  of  divided  counsels,  other  things  being  equal,  is  entitled 
to  the  preference. 

THE  PROBLEM. 

“ How  shall  missionary  societies  establish  a living,  out-work- 
ing Christianity  in  the  dark  places  of  the  earth.?”  This  is  the 
problem  which  we  are  now  to  examine. 

If  we  resolve  the  end  of  missions  into  its  simplest  elements, 
we  shall  find  that  it  embraces  (1)  the  conversion  of  lost  men,  (2) 
organizing  them  into  churches,  (3)  giving  those  churches  a 
competent  native  ministry,  and  (4)  conducting  them  to  the 
stage  of  independence  and  (in  most  cases)  of  self-propagation. 
Occasionally  the  labors  of  a missionary  society  will  terminate, 
when  its  churches  shall  have  become  self-subsistent ; but  gene- 
rally it  must  carry  its  work  to  the  point  of  reliable  self-develop- 
ment. Then,  and  not  till  then,  may  it  advance  to  “regions 
beyond.” 

Our  problem,  therefore,  may  take  this  form : “ How,  under 
the  conditions  already  indicated,  are  intelligent,  independent, 
aggressive  churches  to  be  gathered?”  Obviously  it  must  be 
done  by  the  gospel  of  Christ , “ the  power  of  God  unto  salvation 
to  every  one  that  believeth.”  We  are  to  declare  “ the  words 
of  this  life”  to  the  unevangelized  masses,  in  all  proper  ways, 
and  at  all  proper  times,  looking  to  Him  whose  work  we  do  for 
the  needed  blessing. 

THE  AGENCIES. 

The  conditions  imposed  upon  us  determine  the  agencies  which 
we  are  to  employ,  as  also  their  comparative  worth.  These 
agencies  are  mainly  three-fold,  oral  preaching , education , and  the 
press.  For  our  present  purpose,  we  have  no  occasion  to  speak 
of  any  thing  else.  We  are  brought  now  to  the  chief  question  of 
missions  : “What  place,  relatively , shall  we  assign  to  the  preacher, 
the  teacher,  and  the  book-maker  T' 

The  value  of  oral  preaching  none  will  dispute.  It  must  ever 
stand  in  the  foreground.  Indeed,  it  is  indispensable.  But  when 
we  have  enlisted  this  agency,  it  may  be  asked:  “ What  more  do 
we  need  ?”  “ Preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature,”  is  the  com- 

mand. What  place  is  there,  then,  for  schools  and  the  press  ? 


38 


The  injunction  of  Christ  must  receive  a natural  and  reason- 
able interpretation.  “ The  letter  killeth  ; the  spirit  giveth  life.” 
Whatever  assists  in  imparting  efficacy  to  the  Gospel,  comes 
fairly  within  the  meaning  of  our  great  commission.  If  the  mis- 
sionary can  increase  his  power  as  a preacher  by  the  use  of  tracts, 
let  him  do  it.  If  the  truth  of  God  can  secure  a permanent  home 
in  a heathen  community  most  speedily  by  means  of  schools,  let 
them  be  opened.  In  employing  such  instrumentalities  we  are 
virtually  complying  with  the  command  of  Christ.  Beyond  this 
a missionary  society,  as  such,  has  no  warrant. 

The  school  and  the  press,  then,  are  to  be  regarded  as  auxila- 
ries , and  in  this  character  they  are  entitled  to  a very  high  place. 
Education,  as  an  end , can  never  be  promoted ; as  a means  it  is 
invaluable.  Without  it,  in  fact,  Christianity  will  be  long  in 
reaching  the  point  of  self-propagation.  Literature,  as  an  end,  is 
never  to  be  sought ; but  Christian  books  are  essential  to  the 
speediest  and  best  development  of  native  piety.  Speaking  with 
greater  precision,  we  may  say,  that  oral  preaching  is  absolutely 
indispensable ; the  school  and  the  press  are  relatively  indispensable. 
There  is  no  conceivable  way  by  which  the  ultimate  end  of  mis- 
sions can  be  attained  without  the  living  preacher ; but  it  is  pos- 
sible, hypothetically , to  reach  this  end  without  schools  or  books. 

ORAL  PREACHING. 

Under  this  term,  for  convenience,  we  include  all  presentations 
of  religious  truth,  whether  stated  or  occasional,  formal  or  in- 
formal, in  the  pulpit  or  elsewhere,  by  whomsoever  made. 

We  naturally  consider  (1)  the  workmen , and  (2)  the  work. 

1.  As  first  among  the  workmen  we  place  the  ordained  mis- 
sionary. He  has  gone  forth,  “called  of  God,”  “to  preach  among 
the  Gentiles  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ.”  To  this  end  he 
will  qualify  himself,  as  soon  as  a due  regard  to  other  interests 
will  permit,  to  deliver  his  message  in  the  language  of  the  natives, 
so  that  all  may  say : “ We  do  hear  them  speak  in  our  own  lan- 
guage the  wonderful  works  of  God.”  It  will  be  his  aim,  from 
beginning  to  end,  to  render  himself  as  effective  and  successful 
in  his  calling  as  possible.  He  will  study  the  best  methods  of 
using  “ the  sword  of  the  Spirit,  which  is  the  word  of  God,” 
proving  all  things,  holding  fast  that  which  is  good.  Especially 
will  he  strive  to  deepen  his  own  piety,  knowing  that  here  is  the 
well-spring  of  his  power. 

The  assistant  missionary  can  also  do  much  in  the  same  line  of 
things.  The  “ beloved  physician”  will  not  feel  that  his  duties 
are  discharged,  when  he  has  prescribed  for  the  body;  there  is  a 
deeper  malady  that  demands  his  care  and  skill.  The  “ konora- 


39 


ble  women,”  in  all  ordinary  cases,  will  rejoice  to  become  the 
teachers  and  guides  of  their  sex. 

2.  The  things  which  the  missionaries  have  themselves  heard, 
they  must  “ commit”  “ to  faithful  men , who  shall  be  able  to 
teach  others  also.”  The  raising  up  of  a native  ministry,  accord- 
ing to  the  pattern  which  Paul  has  given  us,  should  always  be  a 
prominent  object.  Every  man  who  can  be  made  useful  in  pro- 
claiming the  truths  of  the  Bible,  whether  as  a preacher,  a cate- 
chist, or  a colporteur,  should  be  enlisted  in  this  service,  unless 
there  are  paramount  claims  upon  him.  And  he  should  be  ad- 
vanced from  one  post  of  usefulness  to  another,  as  fast  as  he  proves 
himself  worthy  of  the  honor. 

3.  Those  who  devote  themselves  chiefly  to  other  labors , should 
give  as  much  of  their  time  as  practicable  to  the  preaching  de- 
partment, if  duly  qualified  therefor.  The  teacher  of  a school, 
for  example,  should  feel  that  his  vocation  is  to  improve  the 
heart  as  well  as  the  mind,  and  that  his  responsibilities  embrace 
all  around  him. 

4.  All  who  profess  to  be  the  disciples  of  Christ,  should  be  train- 
ed up  in  the  belief  that  they  are  to  be  witnesses  unto  all  men  of 
what  they  have  seen  and  heard.  And  they  should  do  this,  as  they 
have  opportimity,  with  no  expectation  of  gain,  but  because  the 
impulse  of  a renewed  heart  prompts  them  to  say : “ Hereunto 
are  we  called,  because  Christ  also  suffered  for  us,  leaving  us  an 
example  that  we  should  follow  his  steps.” 

At  this  point  the  question  might  be  asked:  “ To  what  extent 
may  the  preaching  agency  be  developed  ?”  (1.)  It  should  never 

transcend  the  limits  of  a wise  and  watchful  control.  In  other 
words,  a mission  should  be  able  at  all  times  to  work  its  corps  of 
helpers  with  ease  and  efficiency.  (2.)  The  ultimate  end  of  mis- 
sions should  never  be  overlooked.  As  permanent  results  are 
aimed  at,  the  school  and  the  press  must  be  duly  honored.  Our 
plans  look  forward  to  a long  and  arduous  campaign.  We  want 
no  victory  at  the  beginning,  that  will  retard  our  final  triumph. 

As  a part  of  the  work , regular  Sabbath  ministrations  are  of 
great  value.  They  are  a public  and  living  plea  for  holy  time, 
for  the  Bible,  for  the  ordinances  of  the  Gospel,  and  for  whatsoever 
is  peculiar  to  the  Christian  system.  In  heathen  lands,  as  else- 
where, they  are  a means  of  enforcing  truth  upon  those  who 
enjoy  them ; and  because  of  the  thick  darkness  which  prevails 
in  these  habitations  of  cruelty,  they  are  all  the  more  needful. 
Missionaries,  therefore,  will  early  seek  to  gather  congregations 
that  shall  meet  on  the  first  day  of  the  week  for  the  hearing  of 
the  Wprd  ; and  they  will  multiply  such  assemblies  to  the  extent 
of  their  ability. 

But  their  duties  in  this  regard  do  not  end  here.  Indeed, 


40 


their  principal  activity  will  be  seen  in  other  efforts.  They 
will  ever  inquire,  with  a prayerful  and  trustful  spirit : “ How 
can  we  best,  with  the  preaching  agency  at  our  command,  press 
the  claims  of  the  Gospel  on  the  multitudes  around  us?”  They 
will  employ  all  methods  of  doing  good,  adapting  themselves  to 
the  old  and  the  young,  and  discarding  with  special  earnestness 
the  doctrine  that  for  adults  there  is  little  hope.  At  one  time 
they  will  be  found  at  the  bazar,  at  another  in  the  distant  vil- 
lage ; now  they  will  go  from  house  to  house ; now  they  will 
speak  to  the  passer-by  of  the  things  which  concern  his  eternal 
peace.  Their  faith,  their  patience,  their  wisdom,  will  be  sorely 
tried  ; but  it  is  Christ’s  work  ; they  love  it,  therefore,  and  will 
love  it  to  the  end,  remembering  that  “ the  Son  of  Man  came 
not  to  be  ministered  unto,  but  to  minister.” 

EDUCATION. 

The  office  of  schools  is  two-fold.  1.  To  a limited  extent, 
they  aid  the  preaching  department  directly,  (a.)  A large 
amount  of  truth  is  communicated  to  the  pupils  by  their  teach- 
ers and  others,  in  circumstances  which  are  often  favorable  to 
its  reception.  Accurate  statistics  would  show  that  such  labors 
have  been  highly  useful.  ( b .)  Parents  and  relatives,  to  say 
nothing  of  others,  are  frequently  brought  into  contact  with  the 
living  preacher ; and  conversions  are  sometimes  effected  in 
this  way.  But  schools  can  hardly  be  defended  on  this  ground. 
Our  necessary  conditions  exclude  them. 

2.  They  aid  the  preaching  department  indirectly,  (a.)  They 
prepare  the  native  ministry  which  is  needed  therefor.  (/>.) 
They  lay  a broader  foundation  for  the  intelligence  and  effi- 
ciency of  the  churches,  (c.)  They  prepare  the  ground  for  the 
good  seed  of  the  Word,  among  the  children  of  real  or  nominal 
Christians,  as  also  among  heathen  children  ; and  they  do  this 
to  some  extent  among  adults,  (d.)  Anterior  to  all  other  re- 
sults, they  have  some  value  as  an  instrumentality  for  opening 
the  door  to  the  Gospel.  It  is  for  this  indirect  auxiliary  labor 
that  schools  are  to  be  chiefly  honored. 

The  normal  idea  of  missionary  education  would  be  realized 
by  having  (1.)  boarding  schools  (equal  to  the  demand  in  every 
case)  for  native  helpers  and  their  wives,  all  hopefully  pious, 
in  which  the  course  of  instruction  should  be  adapted  to 
the  prospective  duties  of  each  ; (2.)  day-schools  for  children  be- 
longing to  the  Christian  communities , supported,  however,  by  the 
parents;  (3.)  day-schools  for  children  outside  of  these  communities , 
taught  by  devoted  and  skillful  men  under  the  supervision  of 
the  missionary,  the  number  being  limited  by  his  ability  to 


41 


comply  with  these  two  conditions  without  impairing  other 
efforts. 

Seldom,  however,  can  this  idea  be  realized  in  all  its  parts. 
1.  There  are  exceptional  cases,  which  must  be  provided  for. 
Among  the  North  American  Indians,  English  schools  must  re- 
ceive special  attention.  The  same  may  be  true  of  the  chief 
cities  of  India.  2.  For  lack  of  hopefully  pious  candidates  forthe 
native  agency,  to  be  trained  in  boarding  schools,  it  will  some- 
times be  necessary  (a)  to  conduct  pious  young  men  to  this  work 
by  a shorter  road,  as  has  been  done  with  so  much  advantage 
in  many  cases,  and  (5)  to  receive  persons  into  the  boarding 
schools  who  afford  no  evidence  that  they  have  been  born  again, 
but  who  (it  may  be  hoped)  will  furnish  such  evidence  in  coming 
years.  The  preference  in  such  cases  should  be  given  to  the 
children  of  Christian  parents.  3.  The  Christian  communities 
may  lack  the  ability  to  sustain  their  day  schools.  If  so,  it  wil[ 
be  the  duty  of  the  mission,  if  its  funds  permit,  to  render  such 
supplemental  aid  as  may  be  needed.  It  should  be  understood, 
however,  that  it  is  only  for  the  present  necessity.  4.  It  may 
at  times  be  expedient  to  employ,  in  the  schools  outside  of  the 
Christian  communities,  teachers  imperfectly  qualified  for  their 
business.  Some  will  be  unregenerate  men  ; possibly  they  may 
be  heathen. 

It  is  desirable,  perhaps,  that  we  speak  somewhat  more  fully 
in  regard  to  boarding  schools  and  day  schools,  leaving  out  of 
view  all  exceptional  cases. 

1.  Boarding  schools  should  be  conducted  with  sole  reference 
to  the  greatest  efficiency  (present  and  future)  of  the  mission 
which  sustains  them.  For  the  most  part,  they  should  be  train- 
ing institutions.  Not  that  all  of  either  sex  who  are  admitted  to 
them,  will  occupy  posts  of  special  prominence.  It  were  too 
much  to  expect  such  a result.  But  the  governing  idea  of  a 
boarding  school,  in  ordinary  cases,  is  that  it  prepares  young 
men  and  young  women  for  some  department  of  missionary  labor. 

In  considering  the  questions,  “ How  large  shall  this  or  that 
school  be?”  “ What  studies  shall  be  pursued ?”  “How  long 
shall  the  course  of  instruction  continue  ?”  it  is  not  easy  at  all 
times  to  find  the  answer.  The  best  rule  would  seem  to  be, 
“Let  the  wants  of  the  mission  decide.  Bring  forward  your 
native  agency,  as  fast  as  you  need  it.  Up  to  this  point  you  are 
always  safe.  When  you  educate  for  any  other  end,  you  get 
upon  questionable  ground.” 

Within  the  legitimate  sphere  of  boarding  schools  there  is  room 
for  a wise  discretion.  We  may  safely  say,  however,  that  (1) 
the  course  of  instruction  should  have  a constant  reference  to  the 
post  that  each  is  to  fill ; (2)  it  should  be  eminently  biblical ; (3) 


42 


it  should  also  be  practical,  so  that  the  pupils  may  know  experi- 
mentally how  to  apply  their  knowledge ; and  (4)  generally  it 
should  not  embrace  English,  except  in  its  latest  stages,  or  for 
very  select  classes. 

2.  Day  schools  may  embrace  the  children  of  Christian  parents, 
the  children  of  persons  under  instruction,  and  the  children  of 
heathens.  These  different  classes  of  pupils  may  be  in  separate 
schools,  or  all  together. 

It  will  be  the  constant  aim  of  a mission  to  render  such  schools 
more  and  more  effective  as  auxiliaries.  To  this  end  (1)  they 
should  have  the  best  teachers  who  can  be  provided  for  them  ; 
and  (2)  the  supervision  of  the  missionary  should  be  as  thorough 
as  practicable. 

It  will  often  happen,  however,  that  a teacher  is  poorly  quali- 
fied for  his  work.  In  such  an  event  the  defect  must  be  supplied 
to  a degree  by  the  missionary,  or  by  some  native  brother ; else 
it  will  become  a question  whether  the  school  shall  be  sustained. 
This  is  often  a difficult  problem;  and  it  will  sometimes  be  found 
expedient  to  continue  a school  of  comparatively  little  present 
value  for  the  sake  of  a prospective  advantage. 

For  schools  of  heathen  children  taught  by  heathen  masters, 
(which  are  allowable  only  in  special  cases,  and  in  the  early 
stages  of  a mission,)  the  strictest  supervision  by  the  missionary 
is  indispensable.  He  must  have  the  requisite  time  therefor,  as 
also  a competent  knowledge  of  the  language. 

THE  PRESS. 

The  press  may  be  used  (1)  as  an  auxiliary  to  education,  for 
schools  can  not  be  carried  on  without  books ; and  (2)  for  the  dif- 
fusion of  Christian  truth,  by  means  of  the  Scriptures  or  religious 
books.  Such  books  may  be  regarded  as  written  preaching. 

The  office  of  the  press  in  the  last  particular  is  twofold. 
(a)  It  is  often,  with  the  divine  blessing,  a converting  agency.  It 
is  so,  at  times,  without  the  aid  of  the  living  voice.  But  more 
commonly  it  becomes  effective  in  connection  with  the  ordinary 
preaching  of  the  Gospel,  antecedent  or  subsequent.  ( b ) It  is 
eminently  serviceable  in  training  the  native  churches.  It  enlight- 
ens the  mind  and  instructs  the  conscience.  It  presents  new 
views  of  the  office  and  destiny  of  the  Christian  discipline. 
When  the  voice  of  the  preacher  is  silent,  it  pours  into  the  mind 
the  doctrines  of  the  perfect  Teacher. 

RELATIVE  ADJUSTMENT. 

Before  dismissing  the  consideration  of  our  threefold  agency, 
we  ought  perhaps  to  advert  more  specifically  to  its  relative  ad- 


43 


justment.  That  there  is  danger  of  a mistake  here,  is  quite 
obvious.  1,  There  is  often  an  intrinsic  difficulty  in  determin- 
ing the  relative  place  of  the  preacher,  teacher  and  book-maker. 
The  question  may  involve  facts  that  are  exceedingly  compli- 
cated. 2.  There  may  be  extrinsic  tendencies  to  error,  that  will 
operate  with  more  or  less  power,  (a)  The  preferences  of  a mis- 
sionary may  be  very  strong  in  a particular  direction.  One  is 
fond  of  itinerant  labors,  another  of  teaching,  a third  of  book- 
making. (b)  The  circumstances  of  a mission  at  a givemstage 
of  its  operations  may  have  undue  weight.  Preaching  may  yield 
little  or  no  fruit;  but  there  is  abundant  opportunity  for  educa- 
tion ; and  tracts  and  books  can  be  circulated  to  any  extent. 
The  auxiliary  force,  in  such  a contingency,  may  become  too 
large. 

The  experience  of  missionary  societies  thus  far  has  shown 
that  the  school  and  the  press,  are  most  likely  to  transcend  their 
proper  limits.  There  is  a tendency  to  enlargement  in  both 
forms  of  effort,  which  results,  not  unfrequently,  in  undue  cen- 
tralization. To  avoid  tbis  peril,  missions  should  often  recur  to 
the  cardinal  principle,  “ Education  and  books  are  only  auxiliar}^ 
to  oral  preaching.”  And  the  inquiry  should  often  come  up, 
“Are  the  schools  and  the  press,  in  our  operations,  properly 
subordinated  to  our  grand  aim?” 

It  is  found  that  printing  establishments  need  to  be  carefully 
watched.  They  are  sometimes  necessary;  still  they  are  pretty 
sure  to  give  the  making  of  books  a special  prominence.  It 
would  seem  to  be  wise,  therefore,  to  dispense  with  such  estab- 
lishments, whenever  the  work  which  is  required  can  be  done 
elsewhere,  at  reasonable  rates,  and  with  convenient  dispatch. 

ORGANIZATION  OF  CHURCHES. 

It  only  remains  that  we  speak  of  the  results  of  our  agency, 
when  they  are  assuming  an  organized  form. 

In  general,  a missionary  will  gather  his  first  church  at  his 
station.  But  he  will  find,  sooner  or  later,  that  God  has  given 
him  seals  of  his  ministry  in  other  places  ; and  the  question  will 
be  forced  upon  him,  “ Ought  I to  form  these  scattered  sheep 
into  a separate  flock  ?”  It  may  be  difficult  at  times  to  answer 
this  inquiry.  The  proper  solution  will  not  depend  solely  (1) 
on  the  number  of  candidates  for  membership  in  the  new  church, 
for  ten  in  one  case  may  be  worth  more  than  twenty  in  another; 
or  (2)  on  the  number  of  men  who  are  to  join  it,  as  five  may  be 
enough  in  one  case,  while  more  would  hardly  suffice  in  another ; 
or  (3)  on  the  materials  for  office-bearers , as  it  may  sometimes  be 
expedient  to  organize  a church  without  any  officers ; or  (4)  on 


44 


the  installation  of  a native  pastor  at  an  early  day,  for  this  is  by 
no  means  indispensable.  It  would  seem,  however,  that  the 
missionary  should  be  able  to  answer  the  following  questions  in 
the  affirmative : 1.  “ Can  I provide  a competent  guide  and 
teacher,  ordained  or  unordained,  for  the  proposed  church  ?” 
2.  “ Will  the  Gospel  have  a freer  entrance  to  the  unevangelized 
masses  by  reason  of  such  a step  ?” 

As  soon  as  possible,  every  church  should  have  its  own  na- 
tive pastor,  the  members,  on  their  part,  contributing  for  his 
support  according  to  their  ability,  and  he,  on  his  part,  adapt- 
ing himself  in  a reasonable  degree  thereto.  Such  aid  as  the 
mission  may  render  should  be  considered  as  supplemental  and 
temporary.  And  not  only  should  the  pecuniary  burden  be 
thrown  upon  the  church,  as  fast  as  possible  ; the  responsibility 
of  government  should  also  be  assumed  at  the  proper  time. 

In  the  first  instance,  missionaries  are  obliged  to  form 
churches  and  ordain  pastors.  They  have  the  requisite  power, 
because  it  is  essential  to  their  work.  What  they  are  to  do  be- 
yond this  early  stage  of  ecclesiastical  development  it  is  not  for 
us  to  say.  The  subject  is  not  within  our  sphere.  It  is  wholly 
in  the  hands  of  the  missionaries  ; and  on  no  account  should  it  he 
interfered  with.  They  have  the  right  (1)  to  decline  forming  any 
ecclesiastical  organization  for  themselves,  retaining  their  con- 
nection with  Presbyteries,  Classes,  Associations,  etc.,  in  this 
country ; or  (2)  to  assume  one  that  shall  embrace  the  native 
churches  and  pastors.  In  the  contingency  first  supposed,  they 
will  give  to  the  native  churches  and  ministry  such  an  organiz- 
ation as  they  may  think  best,  to  be  afterwards  modified  by  the 
latter  or  not,  according  to  their  own  free  choice.  In  the 
second  contingency,  it  is  presumed  they  will  not  feel  at  liberty 
to  go  outside  of  the  principles  of  ecclesiastical  order  which  are 
recognized  by  the  denominations  represented  in  the  Board. 

And  in  no  case  should  there  be  any  ecclesiastical  control 
exercised  by  missionaries  over  the  native  churches  and  minis- 
ters, (save  that  which  may  grow  out  of  the  action  of  bodies 
composed  of  both  elements.)  A wise  disbursement  of  funds 
will  provide  all  the  checks  which  are  necessary  or  proper. 

And  this  leads  us  to  speak  of  a fundamental  principle  of 
great  importance.  The  expenditure  of  money  should  always  he 
the  act  of  a mission.  It  can  never  be  intrusted  to  an  ecclesias- 
tical body,  however  constituted;  because,  in  such  an  event, 
there  can  be  no  just  accountability.  By  our  present  system, 
the  Prudential  Committee  are  responsible  to  the  Board  for  all 
the  moneys  received  into  the  treasury ; and  the  missions  are 
responsible  to  the  Committee  for  all  the  moneys  sent  to  their 
respective  fields.  The  Board,  therefore,  know  where  to  look ; 


4o 


and  the  Committee  know  where  to  look.  Every  dollar  can  be 
followed  to  its  place  of  disbursement.  Any  other  plan  would 
be  fatally  defective. 

We  are  expected  to  state  our  convictions  in  regard  to  the 
expediency  of  forming  ecclesiastical  bodies  that  shall  combine 
the  missionary  and  the  native  elements.  This  is  a question  of 
peculiar  delicacy.  Still,  as  we  have  disclaimed  all  right  of  in- 
terference in  such  matters,  and  shall  be  understood  to  express 
an  opinion  merely,  we  will  venture  to  say  that  we  consider 
such  a union  undesirable. 

At  this  point  it  will  be  necessary  to  inquire  more  particular- 
ly into  the  exact  position  which  a missionary  occupies. 

1.  He  is  a foreigner.  Ho  matter  how  closely  he  may  have 
identified  himself  with  his  calling;  in  his  relations  to  the  peo- 
ple among  whom  he  dwells,  he  is  only  a stranger.  He  remains 
a citizen  of  the  United  States.  If  laid  aside  from  his  labors, 
he  returns  here.  If  he  dies,  his  family  return  here.  On  the 
other  hand,  the  natives  will  always  regard  him  as  one  from  a 
distant  land.  His  speech,  his  dress,  his  food,  each  “ bewray- 
eth.”  him.  They  may  honor  him  greatly,  and  love  him  much, 
but  one  of  themselves  he  never  can  be. 

2.  His  work  is  temporary.  It  may,  indeed,  outlast  his  life ; 
still  it  is  destined,  with  God’s  blessing,  to  have  an  end.  When 
the  churches  shall  have  reached  a certain  point,  he  expects  to 
move  forward.  He  is  like  the  general  who  penetrates  the 
enemy’s  country  just  as  fast  as  he  can  secure  the  key-points. 

3.  His  duties  are  peculiar.  ( a ) He  is  an  evangelist.  When 
he  gathers  churches,  it  is  not  to  be  their  pastor ; he  raises  up 
others  to  take  this  charge  and  burden.  True,  he  may  act  as  a 
pastor  for  a time ; but  it  is  simply  from  necessity.  His  sphere 
is  aggression,  conquest.  ( b ) He  is  also  a disbursing  agent.  He 
must  have  money,  not  only  for  his  own  support,  but  for  other 
objects.  He  must  sustain  schools,  employ  assistants,  and 
scatter  abroad  the  Word  of  Life.  To  this  end  a weighty  trust 
is  committed  to  him. 

Is  it  expedient  that  such  men  should  form  ecclesiastical  rela- 
tions with  the  native  churches  and  pastors?  We  think  not. 
It  seems  to  us  that  (1)  simplicity  of  arrangement  is  against  it. 
The  true  and  abiding  elements  in  the  ecclesiastical  body  are 
the  native  churches  and  the  native  ministry.  Why,  therefore, 
should  the  missionary  element  be  introduced,  when  there  is  no 
necessity  for  it  ? t And  (2)  congruity  is  against  it.  The  mis- 
sionary and  the  native  pastors  can  never  sustain  precisely  the 
same  relations  to  their  common  work.  There  is  a racbcal, 
insurmountable  diversity. 


46 


Separate  action  will  be  for  the  advantage  of  all  parties. 
(1)  The  independence  of  the  native  element  will  be  more  sure. 
If  missionaries  are  in  the  ecclesiastical  body,  they  will  exert, 
almost  of  necessity,  a predominating  influence.  (2)  The  power 
of  self-government  will  be  best  developed  in  this  way.  The  na- 
tive churches  and  ministers  must  have  responsibilities  to  bear, 
before  they  can  learn  how  to  bear  them.  By  this  plan,  (3)  there 
will  be  less  danger  of  embarrassment  and  disorder , when  the  mis- 
sionaries leave  for  “ regions  beyond.” 

On  the  other  hand,  the  mission  will  do  its  work  with  the 
greatest  freedom,  if  it  act  only  as  a mission.  United  with  the 
native  element,  it  will  often  be  obliged  to  consider  questions  in 
a two-fold  capacity.  This  may  be  very  undesirable.  Suppose, 
for  example,  the  missionaries  to  be  out-voted  by  the  native 
churches  and  pastors,  in  a matter  which  involves  the  expendi- 
ture of  money.  When  they  take  up  the  subject  as  a mission, 
they  will  find  themselves  in  a position  of  special  difficulty. 
As  members  of  the  ecclesiastical  body,  though  in  a minority, 
they  are  bound  to  yield  to  its  decision ; as  members  of  the 
mission,  in  view  of  their  pecuniary  accountableness,  they  may 
feel  constrained  to  nullify  the  act. 

It  may  be  said  that  the  native  body  will  need  the  wisdom 
and  experience  of  the  missionaries.  But  all  the  assistance 
which  is  desirable,  it  would  seem,  may  be  obtained  in  the  form 
of  counsel.  The  advisory  influence  which  may  be  exerted  ac- 
cording to  some  natural  arrangement,  and  the  regulating  power 
which  necessarily  grows  out  of  the  disbursement  of  money, 
will  probably  suffice  for  the  happiest  development  of  the 
churches  that  may  be  formed  in  any  part  of  the  world. 

On  the  ecclesiastical  question,  which  has  excited  much  in- 
terest and  discussion,  both  at  home  and  abroad,  your  Commit- 
tee have  unanimously  agreed  on  the  following  Preamble  and 
Besolutions : 

Whereas,  the  American  Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign 
Missions  is  not  an  ecclesiastical  body  ; 

Resolved , That  it  can  neither  exercise  nor  confer  any  ecclesi- 
astical power. 

Resolved , That  the  appropriate  sphere  of  a mission  established 
by  this  Board,  and  regarded  simply  as  such,  (whether  composed 
wholly  of  ordained  ministers,  or  of  ministers  and  laymen,)  is  to 
decide  upon  the  places  where  labor  shall  be  performed,  the  per- 
sons and  instrumentalities  to  be  employed,  and  to  distribute 
funds. 

Resolved , That  on  the  whole  subject  of  ecclesiastical  relations 


47 


and  organizations,  the  principle  of  the  Board  is  that  of  entire 
non-intervention,  on  the  part  of  the  Board  and  its  officers  ; that 
missionaries  are  free  to  connect  themselves  with  such  ecclesi- 
astical bodies  or  churches  as  they  may  choose,  either  on  mis- 
sionary ground  or  in  this  country ; and  that  in  organizing 
churches,  provided  the  principles  held  in  common  by  the  con- 
stituencies of  this  Board  be  not  violated,  the  persons  to  be  thus 
organized  are  free  to  adopt  such  forms  of  organization  as  they 
may  prefer.” 

If  these  principles  are  adopted  and  carried  out,  your  Com- 
mittee believe  this  vexed  question  will  be  at  rest. 

Tour  Committee  would  further  recommend  that,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  carrying  out  in  the  Prudential  Committee  the  just  and 
salutary  principle  of  representation,  with  respect  to  the  denom- 
inations by  which  the  Board  is  mainly  sustained,  two  members 
of  the  Committee  be  annually  elected  from  the  Presbyterian 
Church,  and  one  from  the  Reformed  Dutch  Church  ; it  being 
understood  that  a quorum  for  the  transaction  of  business  be,  as 
heretofore,  a majority  of  the  members  resident  in  Boston  and 
vicinity. 

On  the  subject  of  Deputations,  your  Committee  have  been 
equally  well  agreed.  The  following  Resolution  embodies  their 
views : 

Resolved , That  in  the  judgment  of  this  Committee  it  is  pro- 
per, and  may  be  desirable,  to  send  Deputations  to  the  various 
missionary  stations,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  information 
in  regard  to  them  ; but  that  it  would  be  inexpedient  for  such 
Deputations  to  have  power  to  originate  or  make  important 
changes  in  mission  policy,  without  the  express  authority  of  the 
Prudential  Committee. 

I 

From  all  the  information  which  has  come  before  them,  your 
Committee  deem  it  inexpedient  to  receive  grants  in  aid  from 
government  by  the  missions,  when  such  appropriations  are 
accompanied  by  certain  conditions  which  may  lead  to  embar- 
rassment in  the  practical  working  of  the  system.  The  very 
sensible  presentation  of  this  subject  by  Mr.  Hunt,  and  Mr.  Hurd, 
have  had  great  weight  with  the  Committee. 

Your  Committee  are  well  aware  that  much  has  been  said, 
both  in  this  country  and  abroad,  and  especially  in  the  popular 
discussions  among  ourselves,  with  regard  to  the  powers  of  the 
Prudential  Committee,  and  many  questions  have  been  raised 
respecting  them  ; but  we  believe  they  are  already  well  defined, 
and  that  they  are  no  greater  than  may  often  be  needed  for  the 


48 


efficient  conduct  of  missions.  (See  Missionary  Manual,  Art.  3, 
By-Laws.) 

In  regard  to  the  late  visit  of  the  Deputation  to  the  Eastern 
missions,  the  Special  Committee  believe  they  have  performed  a 
great  and  needful  work  ; that  they  have  discharged  their  high 
trust  as  faithful,  devoted  men  ; that  they  ought  to  receive  the 
cordial  thanks  of  this  Board ; and,  that  we  may  confidently  hope, 
that  a new  spirit  may  pervade  and  animate  our  missions  abroad, 
and  a strong  missionary  impulse  be  given  to  our  churches  by 
this  labor  of  love.  It  is  true,  some  diversity  of  opinion  exists 
in  relation  to  missionary  policy,  but  it  is  not  a diversity  which 
respects  the  kind  of  agencies  to  be  employed  in  order  to  save 
the  soul  and  evangelize  the  world,  but  such  as  respects  the  spe- 
cific forms  and  relative  proportions  in  which  these  agencies  are 
to  be  used.  And  in  looking  over  the  whole  missionary  field, 
there  is  great  unanimity  even  on  this  latter  point. 

Your  Committee  have  some  things  to  add  on  the  general  sub- 
ject. 

The  object  of  Foreign  Missions  is  to  make  known  the  Gospel, 
and  plant  Christian  churches  among  the  unenlightened  and  un- 
evangelized of  our  race.  As  a scheme  of  benevolence  it  contem- 
plates the  spiritual  condition  and  interests  of  those  who  are  des- 
titute of  a revelation  from  heaven.  The  founders  of  the  Board 
of  Commissioners  have  distinctly  set  forth  the  great  end  on 
which  their  eye  was  fixed  when  they  formed  their  scheme  and 
entered  upon  its  execution. 

At  a meeting  held  at  Bradford,  Mass.,  June  27th,  1810, 
“Voted,  that  there  be  instituted  by  this  General  Association,  a 
Board  of  Commissioners  for  Foreign  Missions,  for  the  purpose  of 
devising  ways  and  means  for  promoting  the  spread  of  the  Gospel  in 
heathen  lands."  When  the  Board  was  fully  organized  at  a meet- 
ing held  at  Farmington,  Connecticut,  September  5th,  1810,  its 
leading  purpose  was  expressed  in  very  similar  language. 
“ The  object  of  this  Board  is  to  devise,  adopt,  and  prosecute 
ways  and  means  for  propagating  the  Gospel  among  those  who 
are  destitute  of  the  knowledge  of  Christianity.”  And  when 
the  Board  received  a legal  existence,  it  was  incorporated  “ for 
the  purpose  of  propagating  the  Gospel  in  heathen  lands,  by 
supporting  missionaries  and  diffusing  the  knowledge  of  the 
holy  Scriptures.”  The  idea  here  expressed  is  a very  clear 
one,  and  the  language  used  to  convey  it  is  simple  and  well 
chosen.  The  heathen  are  the  subjects  of  instruction,  the  thing 
to  be  taught  is  the  Gospel , and  the  agents  and  instrumentalities 
named  for  doing  this  work,  are  missionaries  and  the  Scriptures. 
This  was  the  type  of  missions  as  it  imprinted  itself  upon  the 
minds  of  our  "New-Eogland  fathers.  “Promoting  the  spread 


49 


of  the  Gospel  in  heathen  lands,”  by  “ supporting  missionaries 
and  diffusing  the  knowledge  of  the  holy  Scriptures,”  would 
seem  to  involve  the  idea  of  giving  such  a Christianity  to  the 
heathen  as  will  not  only  save  men,  but  become  self-sustaining. 
Modern  missions  would  be  stripped  of  their  glory,  if  they  did  not 
fully  embrace  the  principle  embodied  in  the  great  commission  : 
“Go  ye,  therefore,  and  teach  all  nations,”  that  is,  ‘ disciple ’ all 
nations — evangelize  all  nations — ‘ christianize'  all  nations. 
When  this  is  accomplished,  the  work  of  missions  is  done,  and 
other  processes,  whether  they  pertain  to  the  salvation  of  men, 
or  their  advancement  in  a higher  intellectual  and  Christian 
civilization,  are  to  be  conducted  by  more  settled  and  permanent 
agencies — agencies,  which,  if  properly  used,  with  the  spirit  of 
dependence  on  God  for  a blessing,  ordinarily  keep  progress 
with  the  living  age.  Among  these  may  be  named  the  church 
organization,  the  settled  pastor  or  bishop  of  the  flock,  and  other 
officers  who  are  his  coadjutors  or  helpers — all  of  which  are  in- 
troduced by  missions — together  with  the  various  educational 
institutions  which  never  fail  to  accompany,  or  follow,  the  in- 
troduction of  an  enlightened  Bible  Christianity.  The  blessings, 
too  numerous  and  multiform  to  be  mentioned  here,  which  go 
hand  in  hand  with  a preached  and  welcomed  Gospel,  or  tread 
immediately  in  its  footsteps,  are  properly  left  to  other  agencies 
than  those  of  missions.  A living  Christianity  not  only  creates 
these  agencies,  but  knows  how  to  use  them. 

The  authority  for  missions,  both  in  primitive  and  modern 
times,  must  be  found  in  the  commission  given  by  Christ  to  his 
apostles,  briefly  recorded  by  one  of  the  Evangelists  in  these 
words:  “Go  ye  into  all  the  world,  and  preach  the  Gospel  to 
every  creature.”  This  injunction  has  been  in  force  for  more 
than  eighteen  centuries,  and  is  in  full  force  at  this  day.  It 
comes  to  us  in  all  its  original  freshness,  and  the  same  living- 
spirit  is  in  it  which  breathed  there  the  day  in  which  it  was  given. 
That  was  the  dawn  of  a new  era  in  the  Church  of  Christ  when  a 
few  ISTew-England  fathers,  admonished  by  their  sons,  awoke  to 
the  contemplation  of  their  own  relations  to  this  command  of 
Heaven,  and  to  the  630,000,000  of  perishing  heathen  who  fall 
within  the  direct  scope  of  its  intention. 

The  first  missionaries  obeyed  this  injunction,  not  only  in  its 
spirit,  but  in  its  letter.  They  waited  at  Jerusalem  only  for  the 
gift  of  the  Holy  Ghost  to  furnish  the  necessary  qualifications  for 
carrying  out  their  great  commission.  Among  these  there  was 
one,  as  obvious  as  it  was  indispensable  — “ The  gift  of  tongues.” 
They  were  to  “preach  the  Gospel,”  and  to  many 'persons,  and 
many  nations  whose  language  they  had  never  learned,  and 
which,  in  their  circumstances,  they  had  no  means  of  learning. 

4 


50 


They  were  to  “ preach  the  Gospel,”  or  proclaim  its  message 
orally  — for  this  is  the  primitive  import  of  the  term.  Other 
things  may  be  called  preaching,  constructively;  but  oral  procla- 
mation is  literal  preaching.  So  the  Author  of  the  great  commis- 
sion intended,  and  so  the  apostles  understood  him,  and  so,  it  may 
be  added,  the  gift  of  tongues  interpreted]  their  instructions. 
They  were  supernaturally  qualified  to  ‘ speak  to  every  man  in  his 
own  tongue  in  which  he  was  born.’  It  was  the  gift  of  tongues  to 
the  apostles,  and  not  the  gift  of  hearing  and  understanding  a 
strange  language , on  the  part  of  the  people.  And  this  principle, 
or  fact,  stands  forth,  radiant  in  light,  through  all  the  apostolic 
narrative.  Every  nation  was  addressed  in  his  own  language  — - 
in  the  vernacular , whether  more  or  less  rich  in  expression  — 
whether  more  or  less  adapted  to  religious  thought.  The  vener- 
able Hebrew,  the  rich  and  mellifluous  Greek,  or  the  manly  and 
majestic  Latin,  might  have  been  carried  round  the  world,  by  the 
apostles  and  their  personal  associates,  as  a holy  language,  if  it 
had  seemed  best  to  Him  who  orders  all  things  in  wisdom,  and 
who  made  his  own  arrangements  for  converting  the  nations. 
The  audiences  might  have  been  furnished  with  the  gift  of 
hearing  with  the  same  ease  with  which  the  first  preachers  were 
furnished  with  the  gift  of  speaking.  But  this  was  not  the  plan 
of  God.  It  is  his  purpose,  the  wisdom  of  which  we  can  partly 
comprehend,  but  which  need  not  be  discussed  here,  to  give  the 
Gospel  with  all  its  stores  of  rich  grace  to  the  nations  of  the 
earth  in  their  own  languages.  There  may  be  rare  exceptions, 
but  they  are  such  as  go  to  establish,  rather  than  repeal  the  rule. 
And  tins  purpose  will  be  accomplished,  and  the  glad  tidings 
will  be  preached,  and  joyful  hallelujahs  will  be  lifted  up  in  all 
the  languages  and  dialects  of  the  earth. 

Preaching,  or  oral  preaching,  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  by  a 
sort  of  tautology,  in  our  day,  is  the  ordained  instrumentality  for 
the  salvation  of  the  soul  and  the  conversion  of  the  world.  This 
principle  lies  at  the  foundation  of  missions  to  the  heathen.  This 
is  the  grand  agency.  It  must  ever  occupy  the  first  rank,  while 
other  means  may  accompany  it  as  auxiliaries,  or  follow  in  its 
train,  and  then  become  active  causes  for  still  further  progress. 
Here  God  has  placed  preaching  — literal  preaching.  Nothing 
can  supersede  it,  or  stand  in  its  place,  or  go  before  it,  in  a success- 
ful plan  of  missions.  On  this  point  your  Committee  have  been 
entirely  one  in  conviction  and  sentiment,  as  may  be  seen  from 
the  following  Resolutions,  which  were  unanimously  adopted  : 

Resolved , That  the  oral  utterance  of  the  Gospel,  in  public 
and  private,  is  the  chief  instrumentality  for  the  conversion  of 
the  world. 

Resolved,  That  education  and  the  pmss  are  to  be  employed 


51 


as  auxiliary  agencies,  in  forms  and  methods,  and  in  a relative 
proportion  to  the  chief  instrumentality,  to  be  determined  by  the 
circumstances  of  each  particular  mission. 

Resolved , That  the  Committee  are  glad  to  know  that  the 
Batticotta  Seminary  has  been  only  temporarily  closed,  and  that 
they  trust  that  it  may  be  soon  reopened  on  such  a plan  as  may 
accord  with  the  views  of  the  mission  and  with  the  principles  of 
the  preceding  resolutions. 

Education  and  the  press  can  never  successfully  take  the  place 
of  preaching.  They  should  not  stand  before  it  in  point  of  time, 
or  generally  be  employed  as  a preparative  to  its  reception. 
Nothing  could  more  directly  contravene  the  established 
methods  of  grace.  It  is  true  that  the  press  did  not  exist  in  the 
apostles’  day,  but  education  had  its  power  over  mind,  and  its 
controlling  influence  in  the  social  structure  ; and  the  principle 
is  the  same  whether  applied  to  one  or  both,  or  to  any  other 
human  instrumentality.  “ It  pleased  God  by  the  foolishness  of 
preaching  to  save  themt  hat  believe ; ” and  the  principle  is  as 
true  now  as  in  the  age  of  primitive  Christianity. 

It  is  true  that  one  form  of  society,  or  of  civil  government, 
may  be  more  favorable  to  the  propagation  of  the  Gospel, 
among  a people  than  another ; and  one  course  of  education  of 
the  individual  mind  may  better  prepare  that  mind  for  the  sav- 
ing entertainment  of  the  truth  than  another  ; but  to  infer  that 
the  first  work  of  Christian  missions  is  to  reorganize  the  frame- 
work of  society,  or  reconstruct  the  government  of  a country, 
or  educate  mind,  by  conducting  it  through  certain  prescribed 
courses,  in  order  to  convert  men  and  induce  pagans  to  become 
Christians,  is  to  disparage  the  simple  plan  of  God,  and  load 
down  the  friends  of  missions  with  responsibilities  which  no 
mortal  men  can  sustain.  It  is  reversing  the  order  of  things  as 
established  of  God. 

There  is  more  in  it  than  at  first  meets  the  eye  or  ear.  It  is 
saying  that  the  Bible  revelation  is  not  adapted  to  man  in  all 
circumstances— that  he  may  wander  so  far  from  God,  may  sink 
so  low  in  vice,  may  be  bound  so  firmly  by  the  cords  of  sin, 
may  go  down  so  low  on  the  intellectual  scale,  as  to  possess 
nothing  upon  which  the  truth  of  the  Gospel  can  fasten  itself, 
and  reclaim  him.  This  is  to  disparage  the  Scriptures.  It 
chimes  in — we  speak  not  of  the  intention , but  of  the  fact — with 
the  oft-repeated  theory  of  infidels  : “ That  you  can  never 
christianize  the  heathen  till  you  have  first  civilized  them.”  This 
is  an  old  theory,  and  it  still  lives  in  the  religious  speculations 
and  the  prevailing  literature  of  the  age.  It  is  now  assuming  a 
prominent  place  in  such  discussions. 

But  other  things  are  implied  in  the  theory  that  would  put 


52 


forward  any  instrumentality  as  an  antecedent  and  introductory 
process  to  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  with  success.  It  con- 
signs one  generation  of  pagans  to  a hopeless  doom.  Its  lan- 
guage implied,  if  not  expressed,  is  this : you  can  not  expect  to 
evangelize  and  save  the  present  generation  of  heathens — the 
only  hope  respects  their  children.  These  may  be  educated, 
and  then  the  statements  and  appeals  of  the  Gospel  may  be 
made  to  bear  upon  their  minds  and  moral  susceptibilities,  and 
they  may  be  converted  and  saved.  Not  to  insist  here  on  what 
has  already  been  hinted  at,  that  such  a theory  would  render  the 
apostolic  commission  to  “ preach  the  Gospel  to  every  creature” 
of  no  force  and  of  no  avail  in  certain  cases,  and  the  Scriptures 
inapplicable  to  the  condition  of  men  till  certain  changes  are 
brought  about  by  other  agencies  than  the  truth  of  God,  and 
previously  applied,  it  is  to  our  present  purpose  to  urge  that  such 
a view  of  missions  foreshadows  a hopeless  future  for  the  whole 
living  generation  of  pagans.  The  Gospel  of  the  grace  of  God 
can  not  shed  one  ray  of  light  or  hope  upon  the  thick  darkness 
which  hangs  over  their  eternity. 

The  policy  recommended  by  your  Committee  is  not  new.  It 
agrees  with  the  old  land-marks  formerly  established  by  this 
Board.  In  addition  to  the  references  already  given  from  the 
early  records  of  its  organization,  we  may  refer  to  two  sermons 
preached  before  the  Board — one  in  1840,  and  the  other  in 
1845  ; and  no  doubt  others  might  be  added  in  which  the  same 
views  are  distinctly  presented.  “ The  Gospel  adapted  to  the 
wants  of  the  WORLD,”  is  the  subject  of  the  first.  We  give  an 
extract  : 

“We  have  on  the  surface  of  this  globe  a population  almost 
infinitely  diversified  : the  polished  European,  and  his  descend- 
ants not  less  elevated,  in  almost  every  land  ; the  wild  Arab,  the 
wandering  Tartar,  the  inert  southern  Asiatic,  the  bigoted  Jew, 
the  proud  and  self-confident  Turk,  the  fierce  cannibal  of  Aus- 
tralia, the  debased  Hottentot,  the  ignorant  Greenlander,  and 
the  rude  and  savage  tenant  of  our  own  native  forests : — and 
these  furnish  but  a mere  specimen  of  the  human  race.  Nations 
differ  in  almost  every  thing — in  their  modes  of  obtaining  a 
livelihood,  in  civilization  and  intellectual  culture,  in  moral 
habits  and  religious  rites. 

“ But  the  Gospel  makes  an  appeal  which  men,  in  all  these  di- 
versified national  circumstances,  are  capable  of  feeling.  This 
appeal  they  have  felt.  In  the  days  of  the  apostles,  the  truth  of 
God  overleaped  the  frame-work  of  national  caste,  and  evinced, 
in  every  land  where  its  truths  were  announced,  its  power  to 
save.  And  facts  of  the  same  character  are  interwoven  with  the 
whole  history  of  modern  missions.  Such  have  been  the  triumphs 


53 


of  the  Gospel  in  our  day,  that  the  foolishness  of  infidelity,  which 
has  loudly  asserted  that  Christianity  can  not  be  propagated  among 
the  nations  who  differ  in  their  habits  and  religions  from  those 
who  have  long  been  under  the  influence  of  this  system,  has  been 
rebuked  and  put  to  silence.  The  religion  of  the  Bible  is  just 
such  a scheme  as  is  demanded,  in  order  to  accomplish  the  great 
objects  which  it  proposes.  As  it  is  designed  for  a world,  so  it 
is  suited  to  the  exigencies  of  a world.  It  has  a universality  of 
purpose,  and  a universality  of  character,  in  order  to  carry  out 
and  perfect  that  purpose.  It  takes  the  world  as  it  is,  and  goes 
about  the  work  of  making  it  better.  It  can  reach  men  just 
where  they  are,  notwithstanding  their  national  peculiarities,  and 
make  them  the  friends  of  God  and  the  heirs  of  heaven.  It  needs 
no  pioneer.  It  asks  for  no  herald  to  invoke  other  agencies  to 
prepare  the  way  for  its  coming  and  reception.  It  is  itself  the 
pioneer  of  Jehovah — the  herald  of  the  great  King. 

“ These  things  can  be  affirmed  only  of  the  Gospel.  Were  we 
to  examine  all  the  systems  of  ancient  and  modern  philosophy 
which  have  proposed  to  make  men  wise  and  happy,  and  submit 
them  to  a critical  analysis,  we  should  perceive  that  they  are  all 
strongly  tinged  with  the  spirit  of  the  age  and  nation  in  which 
they  originated  ; and  were,  at  the  same  time,  capable  only  of  a 
limited  application.  Carry  these  systems  across  a few  lines  of 
latitude  or  longitude,  and  they  become  exotics  in  an  ungenial 
clime  and  perish  of  themselves.  Protract  their  existence  a single 
century,  upon  the  very  soil  which  gave  them  birth,  and  among 
the  very  people  who  originated  and  cherished  their  dogmas,  and 
they  became  superannuated  and  die  of  old  age.  The  same  is 
true  of  the  religions  of  the  world.  They  are  all  local  and  tem- 
porary— and  well  they  may  be,  for  they  are  dependent  on  cir- 
cumstances for  their  very  existence.  It  would  be  a thing  next 
to  impossible  to  bring  the  Turks  and  the  Greenlanders  to  ex- 
change religions  ; and  yet  Turkey  and  Greenland  may  be  made 
to  feel  the  truth  of  God,  and  submit  to  its  power.  ISTo  system  of 
false  philosophy  has  ever  been  universal — no  single  form  of 
paganism  has  established  its  dominion  over  the  nations  of  the 
earth.  But  the  Gospel  is  indigenous  in  every  soil  where  it  is 
planted.  It  is  at  home  in  every  land.  It  accomplishes  its  own 
appropriate  work  wherever  it  goes,  for  God  is  in  it. 

“ I would  not  intimate  in  these  remarks,  that  different  states  of 
society  may  not  be  more  or  less  favorable  to  the  propagation  of 
the  Gospel ; nor  deny  that  auxiliary  agencies  may  be  employed 
to  unfold,  diffuse,  and  enforce  the  truth  of  God  ; and  least  of  all 
would  I affirm  that  the  Gospel  will  leave  a nation  as  it  finds  it. 
Civilization  and  the  useful  arts  of  life,  letters  and  refinement,  in 
one  word,  all  that  can  elevate  man  in  the  scale  of  being,  pro- 


54 


mote  Ms  happiness,  or  adorn  and  beautify  his  social  character, 
have  never  failed,  other  things  being  favorable,  to  follow  in  the 
footsteps  of  this  revelation  from  heaven.” 

The  subject  of  the  other  sermon  is — “ Burdens  to  be  cast 
upon  the  Lord.”  The  following  is  in  point. 

“ Our  object  thus  being  the  salvation  of  men,  the  burden  wMch 
rests  upon  us,  is  not  simply  a proclamation  of  the  Gospel  among 
the  heathen,  but  such  a proclamation  of  it  as  shall  save  the  soul.  If 
we  fail  of  this,  we  fail  of  our  object  altogether.  I do  not  say 
that  we  do  no  good,  but  we  fail  of  the  object  we  have  in  view — 
of  that  which  is  the  very  soul  of  our  enterprise.  We  are  not  a 
society  for  promoting  civilization,  or  literature,  or  the  arts  ; but 
for  saving  men  ; and  the  great  reason  why  this  is  not  more  fully 
accomplished,  is  because  our  missionaries  and  our  Board,  and 
the  Christian  public  who  act  with  us,  are  not  more  ready  to  take 
up  just  the  burden  that  is  necessary  to  accomplish  this.  It  is 
not  the  establishment  of  seminaries,  or  of  printing-presses,  or 
of  any  external  apparatus.  Ho ; but  it  is  that  constraining  love 
of  Christ,  and  that  sense  of  the  infinite  value  of  salvation,  wMch 
leads  the  missionary  to  preach  the  word , in  season  and  out  of 
season  ; to  testify  publicly  and  from  house  to  house  of  the  grace 
of  God. 

“ But,  it  may  be  asked,  are  we  to  neglect  literature  and  science, 
education  and  forms  of  government,  and  civilization  ? Are  not 
these  valuable  in  themselves,  and  are  they  not  important  aids  in 
promoting  Christianity  ? Are  we  to  narrow  our  views  to  a sin- 
gle object,  and  not  rather  take  those  that  are  comprehensive  and 
enlarged  ? The  general  question  here  involved  there  is  not  time 
fully  to  discuss.  From  the  first  there  have  been  two  theories  of 
missions,  according  to  one  of  which  we  are  to  introduce  Christ- 
ianity at  once,  as  a means  of  salvation,  and  to  leave  other  things 
to  follow  in  its  train : and  according  to  the  other  we  are  to  in- 
troduce other  things  as  the  means  of  introducing  Christianity. 
1 do  not  mean  that  missions  have  been  established  distinctly  and 
avowedly  on  these  two  principles,  but  that  in  the  minds  and  in 
the  labors  of  some,  the  spirit  of  the  first  method,  which  may  be 
called  the  method  of  faith,  and  that  in  the  minds  and  the  labors  of 
others,  the  spirit  of  the  second  method,  which  may  be  called  the 
method  of  philosophy,  has  predominated.  Now  we  believe  in 
the  method  of  faith.  We  believe  that  the  greater  will  include 
the  less — that,  as  a general  thing,  under  God’s  government,  and 
more  especially  where,  as  in  a tree  or  an  animal,  or  a human 
being,  or  in  the  social  state,  our  object  is  to  be  reached  by  a pro- 
cess of  development,  the  attainment  of  the  highest  end  must  ul- 
timately involve  that  of  all  others.  We  believe  that  the  religious 


55 


nature  of  man  is  that  which  is  deepest  and  most  radical  in  him ; 
and  that  it  is  only  as  that  is  quickened,  that  motives  of  suffi- 
cient power  to  induce  him  to  break  away  from  the  vices  and 
degradations  which  are  opposed  to  a high  civilization  as  well 
as  to  a true  religion,  can  be  brought  to  bear  upon  hint  W e 
believe  that,  except  as  this  nature  is  quickened  and  directed 
and  strengthened  by  Christianity,  any  form  of  civilization 
that  may  exist  will  fall  in  by  its  own  weight ; that  literature 
will  become  corrupted  and  a curse ; that  social  life  will  be 
full  of  jarring  elements ; and  that  inventions  in  the  arts,  and 
those  improvements  which  facilitate  the  intercourse  of  men, 
and  every  tiling  which  gives  an  accelerated  movement  to  so- 
ciety, wili  be  but  as  the  laying  down  of  the  iron  track,  and  the 
concentration  of  energy  in  the  iron  horse,  that  shall  prepare  the 
way  for  the  shocks  of  more  awful  and  destructive  collisions. 
We  do  not  find,  and  the  fact  is  to  be  noted,  that  Christ  or  his 
apostles  made  any  inventions  or  discoveries  in  the  arts  and  sci- 
ences, or  sought  directly  to  promote  literature.  We  believe  that 
the  preaching  of  “ Christ  and  him  crucified,”  and  that  only,  is 
“ the  wisdom  of  God  and  the  power  of  God  unto  salvation;” 
and  that,  if  we  can  so  plant  and  water  the  tree  of  life  that  we 
shall  have  the  fruit  that  is  unto  eternal  life  we  shall  have  also  the 
green  leaves,  and  the  fragrance,  and  the  broad  shade  of  a right 
social  state ; and  we  think  but  lightly  of  that  kind  of  enlarge- 
ment and  liberality  of  view  which  would  lead  any  one  to  leave 
his  appropriate  work  at  the  root  of  this  tree,  and  to  be  look- 
ing all  over  the  branches,  and  spending  his  minute  and  fruitless 
labors  around  its  individual  fruit  stalks,  and  the  peduncles  of  its 
leaves.  The  principles  here  indicated  we  hold  to  be  essential  in 
the  first  planting  of  Christianity;  and  even  after  it  is  esta- 
blished, it  may  be  doubted  whether  it  will  not  be  found  that 
those  who  attempt  to  carry  society  forward  on  any  other  princi- 
ple, will  not  ‘ labor  in  the  very  fire,  and  weary  themselves  for 
very  vanity.’  ” 

The  cause  of  Foreign  Missions  is,  in  our  day,  exciting  deep 
attention ; and  not  only  Christians,  but  infidels,  are  entering  into 
the  discussion.  And  the  two  antagonistic  schemes  already  no- 
ticed, are  distinctly  presented,  and  have  their  respective  advo- 
cates. There  is  a marked  and  labored  article  on  Foreign  Mis- 
sions, in  the  July  Number  of  The  Westminster  Review— a 
Periodical  which  the  reading  public  need  hardly  be  told  is  the 
organ  of  philosophical  infidelity  in  Great  Britain.  This  singu- 
lar production  may  be  referred  to  in  order  to  show  how  this 
cause  is  looked  upon  by  those  who  treat  with  special  bitterness 
of  spirit,  every  thing  evangelical,  and  likewise  the  positions 


\ 


56 


they  assume  as  to  the  best  mode  of  conducting  missions,  and 
the  reasons  of  their  preference. 

This  article  says : “ Till  lately  the  enterprise  invariably  pro- 
ceeded upon  the  ground  of  saving  souls  from  hell.  All  idol- 
aters were  undoubtedly  supposed  to  be  damned;  and  to  rescue 
as  many  as  possible  from  perdition  was  the  simple  object  of 
all  missions.”  But  the  writer  thinks  men  have  become  wiser 
and  more  enlightened  of  late.  “American  Congregationists,” 
the  article  asserts,  “ and  English  Unitarians,  and  some  liberal 
German  Protestants,  who  do  not  believe  in  the  damnation  of 
heathens  on  account  of  their  ignorance,  send  out  missions  too, 
with  a wider  view  than  the  old  missionaries,  with  the  hope  of 
raising  whole  nations  out  of  a state  of  idolatrous  corruption  of 
morals  into  a condition  of  Christian  civilization.”  The  accu- 
racy of  these  statements,  your  Committee  can  not  vouch  for. 
But  there  is  a spirit  here  which  speaks  for  itself.  And  there 
is  a deep  moral  element  underlying  these  positions  which 
should  be  thought  of,  and  analyzed.  It  is  this  : If  idolaters,  or 
pagans,  are  looked  upon  as  sinners,  and  as  such,  lost,  and 
exposed  to  endless  ruin,  “ to  rescue  as  many  as  possible 
from  perdition,”  would  be  the  simple  object  of  all  mis- 
sions. “ Christ  and  him  crucified”  will  be  the  great  theme. 
A world  of  bliss  or  woe  is  at  stake,  and  no  time  is  to  be  lost. 
The  missionary  who  believes  these  things,  goes  to  work  in 
good  earnest  to  rescue  the  perishing.  ‘ He  preaches  the  Gos 
pel  to  every  creature’  within  his  reach,  if  he  may  save  some. 
This  is  the  view  of  the  missions  taken  by  the  Christian  who 
believes  in  heaven  and  hell.  So  say  skeptical  journalists.  But 
if  the  degradation  of  the  heathen,  rather  than  their  guilt,  the 
misery  of  their  present  social  state,  rather  than  their  exposed- 
ness to  fearful  and  endless  ruin  hereafter,  impress  the  mind, 
then  a widely  different  policy  is  pursued.  Persons  “who  do 
not  believe  in  the  damnation  of  heathens,”  send  out  missions 
“ with  the  hope  of  raising  whole  nations  out  of  a state  of  idol- 
atrous corruption  of  morals  into  a condition  of  Christian  civil- 
ization.” And  the  instructions  which  would  be  given,  would 
correspond  with  the  object  to  be  accomplished.  The  aim  is  to 
raise  savages  into  civilization ; and  we  may  be  sure  that  the 
streams  which  are  sent  out  from  such  missions,  will  never  rise 
higher  than  the  fountain.  The  probability  is,  that  they  will 
fall  far  below  it.  If  the  highest  object  is  to  educate  and  civil- 
ize, the  education  and  civilization  will  not  be  worth  having. 

In  the  August  number  of  the  North  British  Review,  from 
which  we  might  have  hoped  better  things,  we  find  an  article 
on  Foreign  Missions,  which  seems  too  nearly  allied,  both  in 


5T 


sentiment  and  spirit,  to  the  one  already  noticed  from  the 
Westminster.  We  refer  to  this  piece  merely  as  one  of  the 
signs  of  the  times — as  an  indication  of  certain  tendencies  of 
the  missionary  work,  as  associated  with  certain  articles  of  reli- 
gious faith — as  containing  important  revelations  of  mind,  gov- 
erned by  specific  moral  sympathies,  in  relation  to  the  policy 
and  conduct  of  missions.  This  writer  says:  “ The  object  of  the 
missionary  enterprise  has  been  much  obscured  by  the  exaggerated 
language  in  which  advocates  of  the  cause  indulge.”  Even  in 
“ Protestant  missionary  records,  we  may  trace  a notion,  im- 
plied, though  seldom  nakedly  expressed,  that  heathens,  who 
fail  to  come,  during  their  life-time,  within  the  range  of  the  life- 
giving  efficacy  of  Christian  faith,  actually  perish.”  That  is, 
the  heathen  may  be  saved  without  the  Gospel  and  without 
faith.  In  a touching  fact,  which  he  quotes  from  one  of  our 
missionaries,  the  animus  of  this  writer  is  still  more  clearly  re- 
vealed. Said  a heathen  child,  after  having  embraced  the  Gos- 
pel: “ ‘How  long  have  they  had  the  Gospel  in  New-England  V 
When  told,  she  asked  with  great  earnestness  : ‘Why  did  they 
not  come  and  tell  us  before  ?’  and  then  added : ‘ My  mother 
died,  and  my  father  died,  and  my  brother  died  without  the 
Gospel  ’ — here  she  was  unable  to  restrain  her  emotions.  But 
at  length,  wiping  away  her  tears,  she  asked:  ‘Where  do  you 
think  they  have  gone?’  I too  could  not  refrain  weeping,  and 
turning  to  her,  I inquired:  ‘Where  do  you  think  they  have 
gone  ?’  She  hesitated  a few  moments,  and  then  replied  with 
much  emotion:  ‘I  suppose  they  have  gone  down  to  the  dark 
place — the  dark  place.  Oh ! why  did  they  not  tell  us  be- 
fore ?’  It  wrung  my  heart  as  she  repeated  the  question : ‘ Why 
did  they  not  tell  us  before  ?’  ” 

On  this  the  North  British  remarks:  “Can  this  be  mere  ad 
captandum  language  to  draw  contributions  to  the  missionary 
societies?  If  so,  it  is  very  wicked.  But  if  it  be  really 
genuine  and  sincere,  how  melancholy  a fanaticism  does  it  dis- 
play !”  We  cut  short  these  citations.  But  if  we  were  to  go 
farther,  it  would  reveal  a more  unsound  theology,  and  a worse 
spirit.  These  speculations  are  carried  into  the  writer’s  theory 
of  missions.  “It  needs,”  says  he,  “no  exaggerations  such  as 
these  to  supply  a sufficient  motive  for  missionary  enterprises. 
Our  object  is  to  introduce  Christianity  with  all  the  blessings 
which  accompany  it — true  views  of  God,  its  ennobling  motives, 
ils  pure  morality,  the  elevation  of  life  and  manners,  the  civili- 
zation, the  knowledge,  even  the  material  progress,  which  are 
sure  to  follow  in  its  train.”  As  to  the  salvation  of  the  heathen, 
lie  seems  to  have  very  little  concern.  “We  may  leave  it  to 
God  himself  to  decide  how  the  benefits  of  Christ  will  be  ex- 


58 


tended  to  those  whom  it  has  pleased  him  to  permit  to  live  and 
die  in  ignorance  of  his  gospel.”  According  to  these  views,  the 
civilization  of  pagan  nations,  rather  than  their  rescue  from  sin 
and  endless  death , would  seem  to  be  the  grand  object  of  mis- 
sions. Such  lessons  were  never  learned  from  the  risen  Saviour 
in  Jerusalem,  or  the  ascending  Saviour  upon  Mount  Olivet. 


CONCLUSION. 

One  characteristic  stands  forth  with  a noble  prominence,  in 
the  letters  your  Committee  have  received,  whether  from  the 
missions  or  individual  missionaries ; and  that  characteristic  is 
compassion  and  concern  for  the  souls  of  the  heathen.  Our 
missionaries,  it  is  true,  are  but  men ; like  those  who  send  them 
out,  and  pray  for  them,  and  help  sustain  them,  they  are  nei- 
ther infallible  in  judgment,  nor  perfect  in  sanctification.  But 
they  are  good  men.  It  is  an  intellectual  and  spiritual  feast  to 
read  such  letters  as  those  which  have  come  before  us.  It 
brought  us  into  a missionary  element,  by  bringing  us  into  com- 
munion with  minds  deeply  imbued  with  that  element.  For 
about  two  weeks  devoted  to  this  social  investigation,  we  have 
seemed  to  live  in  India  and  other  parts  of  the  East.  We  have 
been  where  Adam  was  made,  and  sin  entered  and  blighted  our 
world ; where  hundreds  of  millions  of  his  children  are  groping 
in  a darkness  so  dense  that  it  may  be  felt.  In  making  our  spi- 
ritual observations,  we  have  wandered  among  “the  shadows  of 
death,”  where  the  Sun  of  righteousness  has  never  yet  shined — 
where  the  star-light  of  hope  even  has  hardly  begun  to  appear. 

But  during  these  visits  to  the  pagans , if  our  hearts  have  been 
depressed  by  the  profound  desolations  on  every  hand,  they  have 
likewise  been  made  glad  by  the  company  of  our  missionary 
brethren.  We  have  felt  a new  confidence  in  the  cause,  and  in 
God.  We  can  never  lose  the  impression  made  upon  us.  It 
was  good  to  be  there.  The  wail  of  the  heathen,  perishing  in 
their  sins,  and  going  down  to  death,  will  continue  to  come  up 
in  our  ears ! Our  missionary  brethren,  often  feeling  that  they 
are  alone,  and  almost  unfriended — one  after  another  going  down 
to  their  long  slumbers,  seem  to  stand  before  us  and  point  to  the 
heathen,  and  beckon  to  this  land  for  help.  And  'where  is  the 
heart — and  wiiat  is  the  heart  of  Christendom,  that  it  does  not 
beat  in  holy  response  to  these  appeals  ? The  Macedonian  cry 
comes  over  to  us  from  all  the  densely  peopled  East,  but  where 
are  the  Pauls  to  hear  that  voice,  and  expound,  and  obey  the 
heavenly  vision,  and  go  over  the  seas  to  help  them?  May  this 
meeting  of  the  Board  be  an  era  in  the  history  of  missions.  May 


we  all  be  baptized  with  a new  and  heavenly  spirit  to-day.  May 
many  a heart  be  wanned  in  prayer — and  many  a hand  be  opened 
in  liberality— and  many  a young  man,  and  many  a young  wo- 
man, come  to  the  altar  of  Glod,  and  here  consecrate  life  and  soul 
and  body  to  the  cause  of  missions,  and  look  up  to  heaven  and 
say  to  the  first  great  Missionary,  '•  Here  am  I;  send  me." 


N.  S.  S.  Beman,  Chairman. 
M.  Hopkins, 

D.  H.  Riddle, 

Erastus  Fairbanks, 

Linus  Child, 

Benjamin  C.  Taylor, 
Horace  Holden, 

Asa  D.  Smith, 

Wm.  Jessup, 

R.  T.  Haines, 

Ray  Palmer, 

P.  II.  Fowler. 


